The strange adventures of a whale's tooth, a missionary story of Fiji for young people and others

Slack

Annex

PR

9619.3

D349s

5TRANG

By Rev, WALLACE DEANE, M.A,, B.0.

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^

The Great Whale's Tooth.

THE STRANGE

ADVENTURES

OF A WHALE'S

TOOTH

Missionary Story of Fiji for
young people and
others

By
Rev. W DEANE, M.A., B.D.

Obtainable at

THE METHODIST BOOK DEPOT,
381 GEORGE ST., SYDNEY.

KI'WORTH PRINTING AND PUBLISHING HODSE
218 CA8TLEREAGH STREET.

1919.

PR

tmj

2215569

FOREWORD.

Whales and elephants have a way of their own.
And they are like St. Paul's Cathedral — too big to
be ignored. What stories of brave deeds, of the
prowess of the explorer, and alas! what horrible tales
of the white man's hideous cruelties to his black
brother, we have woven about the Elephant's Tusk!
But here is the Whale's Tooth, and hereby hangs a
tale ! And he, who tells the tale, warms to his work,
for he knows all the beauty of those Sunny Isles
where his Whale's Tooth saw and slept and travelled
so much. Around this Whale's Tooth he has entwined
the beautiful story of the white man's love for his
brown brother. He has told of some of the most
daring of Christ's soldiers, and of how, in a land
where chiefs chopped off, and hung up, little child-
ren's hands — and all to show how brave they were —
these same soldiers won their peaceful victories. The
Whale 's Tooth saw .and heard some wonderful things,
I can tell you, and our boys and girls all over the
world should read this story. The Young People's
Department of the Church that made Mr. Deane what
he is, and then sent him out to her Mission Fields, will
rejoice to know that this book is in every Sunday
School library, that it is being discussed in Young
People's Societies, and that it is being made a gift
to youths and maidens everywhere.
HAROLD WHEEN,

General Secretary,
Methodist Young People's Department of N.S.W.

AUTHOR'S NOTE.

The events related in the following pages are
chiefly based on facts, and especially so in that
chapter describing occurrences which arose out of
Mr. Langham's journey into the interior of Fiji.
The details were given to me verbatim by a par-
ticipant in those thrilling episodes. The customs
referred to in the course of the story are well known
to most of us who are acquainted with the native
character. Even the tests of the future world,
which are collected in the chapter entitled "A
Dream," have their counterparts in the beliefs of
several tribes in Lomaiviti and Kadavu. As the
story proceeds, the whale's tooth which relates it
grows in knowledge, and finally comes to rest on a
nail in a missionary's home.

NOTE OX PKONUNCIATION.

By way of explanation, the Tabua or Whale's
Tooth is the chiefly symbol of the Fijians. The
following hints will be useful in the pronunciation
of native names : — b=mb, d=nd, g=ng, q=ng (hard),
c=th.

CONTENTS.

Page

Chapter 1. THE MIGHTY OCEAN 9

Chapter 2. CAPTURED 16

Chapter 3. BARTERED 27

Chapter 4. NEW POWERS 42

Chapter 5. THE ATONEMENT 56

Chapter 6. THE RED FLAME OF WAR ... 67

Chapter 7. BURIED 80

Chapter 8. A DREAM 89

Chapter 9. THE NEW RELIGION 101

Chapter 10. A CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE ... 112

Chapter 11. EARLY CHRISTIAN BRAVERY... 124

Chapter 12. " THE FORMER THINGS HAVE

PASSED AWAY" 139

Chapter 13. A NATIVE MINISTER 149

Chapter 14. A MISSIONARY'S WELCOME ... 16O

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Opp. page

THE GREAT WHALE'S TOOTH 1

CROSSING A MOUNTAIN TORRENT 9

A CHARMING SCENE-FUh Fence in the Distance 1 6

POLING AN OUTRIGGER CANOE 32

A TYPICAL FIJIAN PATH 48

THE VILLAGE SQUARE 56

A PEACEFUL RETREAT 72

COCOANUTS 80

A GROUP OF FIJIAN CHRISTIANS 89

A WEDDING PAIR. Which it the Bride ? ... 104

HOW THE MISSIONARY TRAVELLED ... 112

A CUTTER AT ANCHOR 128

AN HONOURED NATIVE MINISTER- INOKE

BUADROMO 144

THE MEANDERING STREAM 149

FIJIAN SCHOOL CHILDREN 164

CHAPTER I.
THE MIGHTY OCEAN.

AM solid ivory, and I grew after the
manner of my kind. I did not, however,
grow on a tree like the ivory nuts of the
"Solomon Islands; nor yet again did I make
my first appearance in the mouth of an un-
gainly elephant. Indeed, I have never even seen
my relations, the elephant tusks, for it has not been
my lot to visit their country. Rumour has it that
they are of the giant species, while I, forsooth, am
termed a dwarf.

But big as my cousins, the elephant tusks, may
be, I doubt very much if they have a higher opinion
of their virtues than I of mine. This self-conceit
may be called my one failing. Those who read my
history, as told in these pages, will pardon me for
my solitary sin, especially as it is partly due to the
high place I have always held in the estimation of
a certain race of men. Moreover, no elephant tusk
lias ever passed through such experiences as I have
-survived. Since I first saw the light, innumerable
adventures which would have thrilled and astonished
my ivory friends, the elephant tusks, have fallen
to my lot. I speak truly when I say that through-
out my long career, I have loved adventure as my
life. Now that I have come to the evening of

10

The Strange Adventures

existence, and am resting on my hard-earned laurels,
I look back with a certain wonderment, not to say
yearning, upon the path I have travelled during
more than a century. It is no small wonder that I
am yellow and shining, and give the impression of
great age. It piques me somewhat to be hung up
as a mere ornament on an iron nail after having
been an active sharer in the affairs of men for so.
many years. Therefore, when strangers come and
gaze on me, asking pointless questions the while, I
am dumb to them. Indeed, it is only after a
struggle that I bring myself to break the long
silence, or to tell of the things of yore. I feel bound
to do so now by the knowledge that I alone can
speak from actual experience of the events which
I here narrate.

My earliest recollections are brine — good, whole-
some brine. With regard to my own feelings about
it, I may say that there is nothing so sweet to me
as brine. It is sweeter than honey or the honey-
comb. What makes it sweet to me and salt to you
I cannot say. The Great Being who created us all
has His own explanation of that. But as the
stream loves and laves its mossy course, and as the
cooing doves fly back with joy to their windows, so.
do my thoughts hark back to the days of brine.

Now, some reader will immediately think that
I am referring to a butcher's keg, where beef lies
soaking for weeks until it becomes indigestible. Let

of a Whale's Tooth

me be quick to the point lest you misunderstand me
to my disadvantage. It is the brine of the "Mighty
Ocean" to which I refer and which I love. Can
one forget his first home? May I forget my
cunning (and I have some in my ivory heart) if I
forget Thee, Mighty Ocean, Eternal Reservoir of my
beloved brine.

I said I grew — how I grew I know not. That
mystery has puzzled wiser heads than mine. I first
saw the light in a school. Some lad will quickly
say, "What a queer place to be born in!" But,
dear boy, you did not wait until I had finished.
I was about to add, "in a school of whales." I
remember that it was very cold at the time, but I
had a nice, warm couch to lie on, and the room
where I was born was usually cosy. What matter
if at times the cold water of the south did swish in
and round about. That only helped to strengthen
me. In this world I have met so many who are
afraid of a little hardship. It is either too cold, or
too hot, or too wet, or too windy, and upon these
pretexts some turn away from" their rightful duty.
Surely they miss the great truth that hardship
hardens — in short, makes one able to withstand the
ravages of time, and so to achieve much before the
days of the sere and yellow leaf. Personally, I am
thankful for the hardship of my early existence. To
my experiences, then, I attribute my present
durability and solidity. Consequently I have lived

12 The Strange Adventures

long, and seen and heard many strange things
which I shall relate in subsequent pages.

I am a "Whale's Tooth," as the title of this
book has it, which means that I belong to a whale.
But if you will allow me to be a little more precise,
I will change the wording a little. I am "My
Whale's Tooth." There are two possessives in that
phrase, and they tell you that I belong to my whale,
as my whale belongs to me.

My whale was born at the same time and in the
same school as myself — if you ask me where, I would
boldly say: near the Bay of Whales, far down in
Antarctica. We were both very little for a time,
but we grew apace. In the same school there were
many fat whales who did nothing but play with
the waves. It was an eternal play-ground. I can
fancy some of my little readers will say, "How
very pleasant!" And so it was pleasant, and right
— for the whales. I am not quite so sure that it
would be right for boys and girls to be always
playing, or even to covet an eternal play-ground.
Whales are just big, lovable whales, and were
intended to do nothing else but frolic. They were
never troubled with business cares, or that strange
thing you call politics, and so all they had to do
was to sport, amongst the waves the livelong day.

Now. my whale was not at all behind the others
in play. Often I think he made quite a serious
matter of his gambols and tried to do everything in

of a Whale's Tooth ]3

the most accomplished manner. When the whales
were splashing, he would splash the farthest; when
they were spouting, he would spout the highest. In
the races he would invariably be first, and when he
dived, he outdistanced all the rest; for he was a
right sperm whale, much larger than the kind which
usually lived in the Bay of Whales. Indeed, I am
told that it is quite extraordinary for a sperm whale
to be found so far south.

As my whale played, I played. When he dived,
I perforce must dive also. When he rested, I rested.
There was therefore a sort of sympathetic relation-
ship between us, the memory of which has never
wholly passed away.

I remember I took a pride in my whale. At first
he was such a soft, round, wallowy fellow that you
wanted to put your arms around his neck and
caress him. But as time passed he grew too large
for that. He became as big as a little island; and
although he looked soft and flabby, his muscles
were stronger than the waves that rose and fell on
the great salt sea. I have remarked them as he
romped across the sea, leaving a foamy wake behind
him. and I protest that the sinews of your brawny
blacksmith were but threads compared with my
whale's muscles. He was so strong, that tne Mighty
Ocean was his natural home.

There was a race one day in the bay, and the
school dived and plunged in the very joy of free-

14

The Strange Adventures

dom. I could tell by the salt foam which rushed
in at my whale's mouth how fast he was cleaving
his way through the sea. He excelled them all, and
then, in joyous revel, lashed the water with his
broad flukes and spouted it in a foamy fountain
over his sleek back. Ah! I was proud of my
whale.

One day he went out to meet the storm, such a
one as can blow only in Antarctica. The icy tempest
screamed like a fiend on the face of the waters. The
ocean arose in tremendous fury. It was sheer
bravado to go out against it. But the spirit of the
sea-wave was in him, and on we went. Those wonder-
ful waves! Shall I ever forget them? The world
of peace seemed to have departed for ever. Then
I learned a lesson from my whale. Lifting his
mighty flukes, he plunged. A second more it was
quiet, for are not storms but on the surface of the
sea, and is not the everlasting rest of the ocean just
below? Where the waves are rolling, the angel of
peace appears to have taken flight; yet he is not so
far away that we cannot find him if we will to do so.

The lesson, therefore, that my whale taught me
was clearly this: tumult and calm lie close together;
into that great truth he took me so swiftly that my
respect for him became firmer than ever. It was
hard to realise rest on the ocean surface, but it was
actually experienced when we dived down into its
quiet gloom.

of a Whale's Tooth

My whale was certainly a very especial kind of
eetacea, and we were both very proud of the fact.
But neither he nor I realised in those happy days
how much his importance would be due to me. Very
few of those who have a destiny are able to see it
clearly at first. The revelation comes slowly, like
the shining of the light at daybreak.

And now I am to tell how my destiny began to
work. The first move took place when my whale
bade farewell to the scene of his birth. Whatever
prompted him to do so I know not. It was scarcely
on account of his being tired of play, for he never
ceased his frolics. Neither was it because the cold
was too great for him in Antarctica, since he had
a. soft thick blanket of blubber fat all about him.
Evidently it was a freak on his part, but it had a
great influence on his life and mine. So Destiny
works in all our lives, taking up what we deem the
waste moments and careless acts, and turning them
to dread account in the final settlement of things.

16 The Strange Adventures

CHAPTER II.
CAPTURED.

HE freak led my whale northwards, away
from the icebergs and the land of the
penguin, to the warmer climes, where
snow and ice are never seen; away from the flashing
aurora to a land where the light of the sun shines
strongly on all things.

In that long journey I learned something of
Geography. "We most certainly passed New Zealand
on the right and Australia on the left. I might
have used the terms starboard and port, but they
are scarcely applicable to that early stage of my
experience.

Of land we saw little, but many strange sights
in the sea itself greeted our wondering vision. Fish
of various kinds which we had never seen before
came to gaze on us, and then darted away to turn
again, rounding their glassy eyes with curiosity.
Some were in shoals and some travelled alone. As
we drew farther north, the bodies of many became
tinted with exquisite hues, with which we were quite
unfamiliar. .My whale affected to despise the finny
tribes, for he does not consider himself a common
fish. He says he belongs to the order Cetacea, of
the high-class Mammalia, of the animal sub-king-

of -a Whale's Tooth 17

dom Vertebrata. Where he got the names is a
mystery. One fearful day when we were far north
we fell in with a curious thing, which I afterwards
learned was a ship. With his usual high spirit, my
whale affected to despise it by blowing two or
three jets of water in defiance. Nevertheless, I felt
him tremble somewhat when he saw that the huge
creature, with the broad white fins, crept slowly
towards him. It had the appearance of a giant
Nautilus as it turned with the wind. "Pshaw!"
said he scornfully, "it is only an iceberg." Suiting
the action to the word, he spouted water like a
silver fountain. Nearer and nearer came the
strange monster. An uneasy feeling crept into my
ivory heart as I watched, which gradually became
a presentiment of coming evil. By sympathy I
knew that my whale also was much disturbed. If
I could have warned him to flee I should have done
so, but Fate had it otherwise. A great pity arose
in me for my whale. Years have passed since then,
and time is kind to ease the pain of things, yet I
have not wholly lost the pathos that filled me on
that fateful morning.

But to my story. Somewhat alarmed, my whale
dived and came up far from the ship. When he
rose he spouted water riotously. "That," said he,
in his language, "is the way to treat the discourteous
stranger." All the flying fish around wondered
what was the cause of the commotion, so they spread

18

The Strange Adventures

their blue, red. and silver wings and flew in shoals
to a safe distance. With a persistence worthy of a
better cause, the ship of the sea drew on. The sun-
light fell on its masts and sails, making it a thing of
rare beauty. "Nonsense," thought I, jealously;
"icebergs are far prettier." Still the impression
was such that even my jealous soul could not dis-
regard it. My whale and I were engrossed in watch-
ing the ship, and we did not notice what events were
happening, fraught with danger to ourselves.
Strangers that we were, we could not understand
that the crew, with fell purpose, were putting off a
boat full of daring men. Consequently, we saw not
its stealthy approach, and were not aware of it until
it climbed the crest of the next wave. Then so
astonished were we at its sudden appearance that
we could not move for a few moments. It looked like
some denizen of the deep, with long sweeping fins,
and appeared to have no connection at all with the
ship. What the man in the bow was bent on doing
we could not possibly conceive. On it came, with a
soft dip and swish — dip and swish. If I could have
shouted, I should have cried out: "Come ye as
friend or foe?" But no sound broke the silence save
the swish of the oars, and a low murmur:

"Steady men, steady."

"Gently there. So ho!"

"Ease her off a bit. Bight there."

"Be ready, men."

of a Whale's Tooth

"Watch the rope that it does not fire the boat."

"Stop."

The sun glinted on the tall figure of the man in
the bow of the craft as he poised his harpoon. A
sudden stroke. What tragedy ! Ah ! A sharp thrill
of pain shot through my whale. He rose with a vio-
lent convulsion and slid down from the sunlit sur-
face of the sea into the depths of ocean blue. Never
before had he failed to find peace there, but now
his trouble was within, and not of the things with-
out. Back again, poor whale, and taste what Destiny
hath in store.

He appeared lashing the waves in fury, and spurt-
ing water high in the air. "Water, did I say?"
"Water and blood" were nearer the truth, for when
the foam cleared the light shone red through the
waves.

So for a time he lay.

Silence again, and then the soft dip and swish as
before. How persistent these men are! Once more:

"Gently there."

"Steady, men, steady."

"Be ready."

The same poise and lightning stroke.

What terrible agony is this? My whale raises
aloft his majestic flukes, and with a swift mighty
movement, plunges for the last time straight down
like a plummet. It was a dive worthy of him. Need-
ing air, he sought the surface with terrible shud-

The Strange Adventures

ders passing through his body. Those muscles,
stronger than the wild sea waves, were strained to
their utmost in the agony of the death flurry. The
men in the boat" respectfully kept their distance, for
one stroke of that tail would send them swiftly to
their account. All my whale's titanic strength was
put forth in his last effort to keep the free, joyous
life he prized. If a lover of words had been there
he would have said that it was "an imposing spec-
tacle," while it lasted. So men are prone to des-
cribe with fine words the moment of death.

My whale soon lay still, no more to slide in gloomy
depths, nor to play with the waves above.

Faintly on the breeze was heard the cry of
triumph: "Pull away, my lads."

Once again the dip and swish of the oars, and
the sound of men laughing now.

"By merry St. George — what a beauty!"

"There'll be double rations to-day, men. So ho!
my lads. Fasten him securely."

Soon we were moving slowly forward to the ac-
companiment of the dip and swish.

The golden sun was setting as wre drew near to
the ship. It was a vessel of three hundred tons
burden, after the size of whalers in those days. Built
of oak. it had braved the stress of all weathers for
many years, and would still do so for years to come.

of a Whale's Tooth

Hoarse voices were calling, and feet were scurry-
ing as the boat came alongside. A man looked over
at the boat and then departed to report something
to the captain. In the galley a man was singing as
if his very life depended on it. An order rang out, and
some ropes were flung to the crew of the boat. In
a very short time my whale was trussed securely to
the vessel to await the morrow.

A whaler is a very strong ship, so I am told, built
especially for its work, with great tanks fitted in its
hold to contain the blubber. As a rule, when most
kinds of whales are captured, the blubber is taken
off the body in large strips a ton in weight. Those
sailors who work on deck are engaged in cutting
these larger pieces into smaller portions, which are
then stowed conveniently away in the hold. The
odour arising from the tanks when this plan is
adopted is most disagreeable, and the oil extracted
from the decaying blubber is not of the best quality.

When fish ing, for sperm whales a different course
is pursued. The blubber is boiled at sea by the
sailors, and this is why sperm oil is most highly
valued.

Early next morning, therefore, the crew were
astir preparing the cauldrons for the purpose of ren-
dering down the whale-fat. Slings were hoisted
over the side as safe foot-holds for the men. The

The Strange Adventures

body of the whale was raised just above the water,
and tackle affixed to allow the body to be turned
slightly as occasion required. Knowing by experi-
ence what to expect, the workers donned their oldest
clothes for the oily task.

When every preparation was made, the work be-
gan of cutting up my whale. The first act wras to
draw me out of my cosy bed. It did not cause me
pain, of course, as my poor whale was dead ; and
death is the most effective soother of pain.

One of the sailors named Dan Sawyer flung me
upon deck with a shout: "There's a tooth worthy
the name," said he, at which I was pleased; you
already know I have always thought well of my
native powers.

"Bill," cried Dan to a man of the deck, "take
care of him; he will be handy in Fiji." Whatever
could he mean? I queried within myself. Where
and what was Fiji? But more anon.

The work of cutting proceeded rapidly. Dan
was one of the hardest workers, and it was his habit
to accompany his efforts with a running conversa-
tion. He made a queer picture, adorned as he was
with a blue apron and a large butcher's knife stuck
in his belt. Dan seemed to be a favourite with the
thirty sailors who composed the crew. His popu-
larity was largely due to the cheery talk with which
he pleased the men.

of a Whale's Tooth

At the first cut he shouted in surprise: "Why,"
said he, "the blubber is two feet deep in places.
There will be over fifteen tons of oil on this fellow,"
Another slash, and then : " It 's a fine prize, by merry
St. George."

By the latter phrase I recognised him as the har-
poonist of the day before. It was quite evident from
his words .that he thought no wrong could be at-
tached to the killing of a whale.

"What a time we'll have when we return to old
Plymouth!" he added.

"I suppose you'll get spliced then," called Bill
from the deck where he was engaged in boiling
blubber.

"That will I," quoth Dan. as he laboured in the
blubber heap below. "My Jane has been waiting this
many a year, and if our voyage is as successful in
the future as it has been so far, she shall have her
reward. A good wench she is, and she deserves it."

Apparently, then, the killing of whales does good
for others; at which thought I became a little more
reconciled to the course things had taken.

The work of stripping the whale proceeded
rapidly, for the men were in excellent temper, partly
because the captain had promised double rations,
and partly because their ship was nearly full. Tn
their bunks that night some of them perhaps dreamt
of "Merrie England," and the dear ones they might

24 The Strange Adventures

soon meet again. It is certain that some such
thought was in their minds even during the day-
time, for it appeared in their words as they gave
themselves with a right good will to the task be-
fore them. So the men talked and worked while the
blubber was being conveyed to the cauldrons, whence
the separated oil was taken to the tanks below.

Some few of the men were told off by the •Captain
to obtain the spermaceti oil, which is found in a
cavity within the head of the Cachalot or Sperm
Whale. So much I heard from Dan, who was chat-
ting to a boy. He said further, that much care was
taken lest this valuable substance should be lost. A
wax called spermaceti is separated from the oil, thus
procured by first boiling it, after which it is allowed
to cool. The spermaceti then crystallises, and is
easily collected.

During a temporary lull in the operations, the
following conversation took place between Dan and
the cook. The latter remarked:

"D'ye know. Dan, the captain says he makes for
Fiji to-night, as the larder is low. Bob Torrens
is down with scurvy for want of fresh vegetables,
and there is a likelihood of it spreading amongst the
men. The fire-wood for the cauldrons is also run-
ning short.''

"80 ho!" said Dan. "We sball buy some Island
taters from the niggers in Fiji, with some beads and

of a Whale's Tooth

axes the skipper has below. The teeth also will be
valuable. Isn't he a beauty, anyway?" said he, look-
ing at me admiringly as I lay on the deck. I con-
fess the prospect puzzled me a good deal. There was
nothing for it, however, but to wait patiently. Dan
went off to measure the whale, which was voted a
large one. Ten minutes afterwards he reported to
the Captain that the total length over all wa.s seventy
feet. The length of the head was twenty-one feet.

''Is the blubber all on board?" asked the Captain.

"Almost, sir," said Dan, touching his cap.

"Hurry matters up, Dan; I am anxious to set
sail for Fiji to-night."

"Aye, aye, sir," was the ready response.

Dan then took his place aft, while Bill went for-
ward to the bow to direct operations.

"Stand by, you land-lubbers." cried Dan. "Let
go the ropes; heave up the tackle. Hurry aboard
there." Each man clambered on deck by the rope
that hung nearest to him.

"'All ready recalled the Captain.

"Aye, aye, sir."

"Let go." The sharp order was obeyed instantly,
and silently, slowly, my whale slipped away, the
ocean kindly hiding the mangled mass from view.

It was just nightfall, and by the faint light of
the moon, we could see the albatrosses soaring over
the spot where my former companion had gone down.

The Strange Adventures

Quick commands from the Captain were followed
by the trimming of the sails to the steady trade wind.
All that night we sailed, and for three other nights
we went gliding over the waves, bound, as Dan had
heard from the Captain, for Fiji, the land of savages,
fire-wood and "island taters. "

CHAPTER III.
BARTERED.

(URINGr the three days' sail to Fiji the crew
were not idle by any means. The re-
mainder of the blubber had to be boiled
and placed in the tanks. When that was finally ac-
complished, it was no easy matter to "swab down
decks," as everything was covered with grease.

In their moments of leisure the men amused them-
selves by collecting all their old pipes, knives, and
any stray tobacco tins they might possess. These
articles were to be exchanged in Fiji for food and
curios, according to the custom of seamen in those
days. Dan had obtained me from the Captain, with
strict injunctions to barter me away for not less
than two hundred yams. "Anything over and be-
yond," said the Skipper, "you may have for your-
self to take home to Jane." Everybody had their
joke with l>an about Jane, but he took their fun
good-humou redly ; indeed, he seemed to enjoy it.

"Aye, aye, sir," was his response. At the same
time he determined to keep the Captain to his word.

Now, Dan had never been to Fiji before, though
he had read and heard of the voyages made to the
Group by Captain Cook and others. He was non-

The Strange Adventures

plussed. therefore, as to how he should succeed as a
trader when he did not know the language. For-
tunately, a few of the older men had made several
voyages to the Pacific, and had picked up a little
pidgin-Fijian. To these Dan had recourse for help.
It was a case of the "blind leading the blind."
Still. Dan's vocabulary was enriched by two useful
words, which are understood in many places of the
Pacific. One of these was "kaikai,"' meaning food,
and the other was "vinaka" — good. A third word,
"saka," which expresses the English word "sir."
Dan would not learn, because he was determined not
to humble himself "too much before these savage
islanders." Dan used to lie awake in his hammock
repeating the words "kaikai" and "vinaka." As
often as not, he had the former meaning good and
the latter representing food, but that mattered little
to him. The thought of Jane stimulated him to face
all difficulties with a brave heart. "Moreover."
said he, "I depend on the insperashun of the moment
in matters of this sort. I never yet saw7 the nigger
that could outwit me in a bargain."

On the fourth night the look-out man was told
to keep a sharp watch ahead for reefs. In those times
the Pacific was practically an unknown ocean, and
the charts were very untrustworthy. Coral reefs
are exceedingly dangerous to vessels, even in -these
more enlightened days, and especially so at high tide,
when the reef is almost completely hidden from view.

of a Whale's Tooth

The Captain, therefore, took every precaution to
ensure the safety of his vessel.

All were very much excited, stern old sea-salts
though they were, at the prospect of seeing land
again, and also because they hoped to feast them-
selves on fresh vegetables; "island taters, " as Dan
called them. Some of the men were most anxious
to procure bread-fruit, of which they had heard from
the old sailors or read in books of travel. Others
extolled the cool drink of the young coc»a-nut, so
pleasing to the palate on a hot, tropical day. "Wait,"
said they, to those who had come to the Pacific for
the first time, "and we shall show you how to live
like lords and such-like."

At six o'clock in the morning the look-out man
cried, "Land oh!"

' ' Whereaway ? ' ' This question came from the
deck where the Captain stood.

"On the starboard bow," answered the look-out
man. Accustomed eyes could just make out a thin
blue line along the horizon; at first, indeed, it was
a query whether the land were not cloud. A quarter
of an hour, however, made a great difference, and
the look-out man was proved to be right. The
sailors called out to one another excitedly, as point
after point and range after range appeared through
the mist.

"A bigger country than I thought," said one.

The Strange Adventures

"Yes," replied another, who hied from Wales;
"and I see mountains there which are almost as high
as Snowden, near my native town."

"By merry St. George," quoth Dan Sawyer,
' ' there must be a fine sight of people on those islands.
The hills stretch away as far as these peepers of
mine can see."

' ' No one can rightly say, ' ' the cook ventured ;
and then he proceeded guardedly, "some say 150,000
and som« say 200,000."

"Aye. Those savage rapscallions are not so easy
to count," said Dan. "They are alike as so many
peas."

"Are they savage?" asked a timid youngster.
At which there was a loud roar of laughter from
the whole crew.

"They just are," answered one of the men who
had an innate love of giving a scare. "The most
bloodthirsty, heathenish crowd that the sun ever
shone on."

Young Sammie 's face grew pale.

"Couldn't a white man live there?" said he again.

"Impossible," his tormenter replied. "They
would surely eat him." Young Sammie collapsed.
I could not help feeling a little sympathetic for
young Sammie. He is not an ivory tooth, and might
well be excused for being afraid.

By this time the land was well in sight, and as
we drew closer the bright colours of the tropical

of a Whale's Tooth

forests began to appear. The mountains on the
island which we were approaching were greater in
height than any icebergs I had ever seen. A dis-
tinct sense of newness came upon me. The pano-
rama spread out before us was so different from the
icefloes and the bergs to which I had been used that
I could be forgiven, ivory tooth though I am, for
feeling strange.

A cry from the look-out startled everybody on
board: "Breakers ahead!"

"About ship," commanded the Captain. "Too
near the coral reef," he muttered under his breath.
"Give me plenty of sea-room in this locality." Then
he shouted to a sailor standing near by: "Go aloft,
Smythe, and keep your weather eye open for the
passage in the reef." The man was one whom he
could trust, or you may be sure he would not have
chosen him for the task. Smythe clambered up the
rigging until he looked very small against the sky.
From that height he quickly descried an opening into
the calm lagoon beyond. Once more the Captain
steered for shore, allowing a point or two to wind-
ward, in case the ship made a little leeway. So skil-
fully did he manage his ship that within thirty
minutes he passed through the opening, the white
breakers on either side showing clearly whether he
steered too much the one way or the other. Swiftly
the whaler glided in, and finally came to anchor about

The Strange Adventures

two hundred yards from shore, in twenty fathoms of
water.

"Well, where are we?" asked Bill of Dan.

"Wait till I see the rapscallions that live in those
queer huts," was the gruff reply; for Dan's quick
eye had discerned Fijian dwellings along the low-
lying portions of the coast. A little closer observa-
tion showed others on the sides and the tops of the
smaller hills. Not a soul appeared in sight, and the
whole island, apart from the houses and a few
beached canoes, looked as if it were deserted.

"What shall we do. sir?" said the mate. "Go
ashore ? ' '

"No," answered the Captain, "We can wait.
These people are very treacherous, and I don't like
the look of the place. There is not a native to be
seen. If I were to send a boat ashore the crew might
be set on. No. no; I can't afford to lose a single
man at the hands of a hidden crowd of niggers. Wait,
I say, until someone appears on shore, and then we
can act as we think best.

All gave way to the Captain, as a matter of
course; on this occasion, however, the men were, one
and all, seized wij:h the wisdom of his advice. The
sequel showed that he was right.

In about an hour figures emerged from the grass,
houses and began to launch the canoes with a good
deal of speed. A dozen or more of these shot out

of a Whale's Tooth

from under the shadow of the hills. The noise of
excited jabbering could be heard clearly across the
water. The whole picture was bewitching in its
strangeness. Here was the touch of romance, mingled
with the idea of adventure. Here were the stirring
events which could only be supplied by the pre-
sence of a savage people and a cunning enemy. Here,
too, was a scene which would charm anyone with an
eye for beauty. The rich emerald green of the clear
shallows contrasted well with the purple-blue of the
deep water, and the dozen canoes skimming on the
calm lagoon added the necessary touch of life. Be-
yond rose the many-peaked mountains covered with
vivid green.

When the canoes were about half-way, they
stopped, as if the occupants wished to confer with
one another as to the best course to follow. The
arrival of a ship was such an unusual occurrence that
it was looked upon as something from another world.
But when they saw no sign of warlike preparation
on the vessel, they came on more boldly. Wilder-
looking fellows it would be difficult to imagine. They
were tall and well-made, though not roundly-moulded.
Their muscles stood out in bunches, giving the im-
pression of great strength. Their dress was scanty,
and chiefly mad£ from dried grass. A girdle of this
material hung from the waist to the knees, lending
to the wearer a most barbarous appearance. All of
the savages had their hair brushed or combed into

34 The Strange Adventures

high tufts of weird shapes. Some of them wore arm-
lets and anklets made from sea-shell, to indicate, as
I afterwards discovered, that they had slain ten or
fifteen men in battle. A few feathers and head orna-
ments completed a costume that was fantastic in
the extreme. As for weapons, every man had a spear
and a club. Some of the latter were curiously
wrought and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. There could
be distinguished amongst the clubs, imitations of the
pineapple, and of the old-fashioned blunderbuss,
which the natives had probably seen on former visits
of European ships to the Group. This piece of infor-
mation fell from the lips of the cook as he and Dan
leaned over the rail.

It was clear, from the way in which the warriors
were armed, that they expected treachery. Their
numbers, also, were increasing every moment. Other
full canoes were seen gliding around the headlands
until Dan counted thirty. The crazy craft were each
built with an outrigger, which must needs be kept to
windward, lest the canoes should overturn.

The crew of the whaler were deeply interested in
what was happening, and especially were they full
of admiration as they noted the skill with which the
savages handled their canoes in the gusts of wind
that frequently swept down upon the lagoon.

Some of the remarks made by the men were not
so complimentary as their enforced admiration

of a Whale's Tooth 35

might have prompted. "A heathenish crowd,
indade!" said Mike Hooley. "Moind ye now, I'd
as soon mate the evil wan himself as wan o' thim
varrmints in the darrk. Ochone! Oi'll ate me ould
beaver hat that Oi left at home, in the ould counthree,
if they don't look savage enough for any thin' this
soide o' the grave."

Then up spake Jack the Cornishman, who was
inclined to religion: "Ah! If the Methodies 'd coom
t'm they'd be better, sure 'nough. I'd b'lieve that
if John Wesley, 'im that held forth in Gwennap Pit,
could preach to 'm, they'd be mooch different."

Jack had much to bear from his mates as a
penalty for being religious. Still, he had won the
respect of the crew by his fearless advocacy of Chris-
tianity, which was the name of his religion. On
this occasion, however, the ideas expressed by Jack
seemed so much out of place that a great laugh burst
from the crew.

''My merry St. George," shouted Dan, "they
would be better stokers of the other pit."

From behind the nearest point a canoe appeared,
the occupants of which were intoning a weird, wild
chant. The refrain sounded like "Ulei! Ulei!" and
ended with a bloodcurdling yell.

"Hark at that," said Bill. "It is worse than
anything I ever heard, I'll warrant ye."

The Strange Adventures

"What is it that they are saying?" asked Dan.
"I have it." And he broke into another shout of
laughter. "It's Hooley they are wanting. Hark
ye!"

Again came the chant across the water : ' ' Ulei !
Ulei!" concluding as before with the fiendish yell.

"Howld yer wisht," said Hooley, trembling with
the superstition of his race. "I'd as soon go wid ye
as wid a crowd o' Kilkenny cats."

"Ulei! Ulei!" the natives replied.

This was too much for Mike Hooley, for he made
a bolt to the fo 'castle, whence he peeped warily at
the oncoming canoes.

Some few of the sailors wished to fire the brass
cannon, but the Captain would not hear of it. "We
must not frighten them, as it is food we want. If
that cannon were to be fired they would be off in a
trice, and we should perhaps die of scurvy. Send
aloft the white flag."

The little sign went up, causing a stir amongst
the natives. But they were evidently reasurred, for
they began now to circle around the ship as if they
were on parade. The Fijian people are very quick
to read the intentions and dispositions of other people,
so that it was not very long before they made advances
in the direction of the rope-ladders hanging over the
side of the vessel. At last one, in answer to the
friendly greetings of some of the men, and seeing no

of a Whale's Tooth

trace of weapons (though each sailor had, by order,
placed a pistol in his jacket), leaped daringly on
board. When no harm attended him, the rest
speedily clambered up, leaving but one in each canoe.
As nothing could be made out of the excited ejacula-
tions of the savages, a conversation by signs then
began. The sailors showed their knives and trinkets,
and endeavoured to make known by gestures that
they were in need of food and wood. While the pan-
tomime proceeded, Mike found courage to sidle up
to the little Welshman.

' ' And phwat wud they be after feeding themselves
on at all, at all? They are moighty strong men, so
they are."

"They are vegetarians usually," said the Welsh-
man, giving Mike the benefit of his reading. "On
occasion they make a feast, at which they cook fish,
pigs, and human beings." Mike made a wry face
at the latter suggestion, and his hand stole, to his
pistol."

"Tunder an' taties, " cried he, "they are foine
specimens of vegetarians, so they are."

Mike's remark was true, for every man was a
model, with huge muscles on leg and arm that would
make a hand-to-hand tussle with him dangerous, to
say the least. One tall savage, with armlets and ank-
lets on his limbs, and covered with cocoa-nut oil from
head to foot, approached Dan, who had been hold-

The Strange Adventures

ing me in his hands, ready to barter me in the best
interests of his dear Jane. The barbarian's eyes
glinted as they rested on me, and he made a move
forward as he asked: "Acava?" (What is it?) The
question caused Dan to flounder, so he fell back on
his limited vocabulary.

"Kaikai" (food), answered he."

The islander looked incredulous, and put out his
hand to feel me. Dan, perhaps thinking it the best
way to arouse the greed of the barbarian, trusted me
to him. The latter was bent on finding out what
sort of kaikai I might be. Heart of ivory that I
was, I feared no man's teeth. Accordingly, when he
took me up, tapped me with his fingers, opened his
mouth widely, displaying two handsome rows of
teeth. I knew that he would be the sorrier of the two
in a duel between ivories. Strong as his teeth were,
they could make no dents or scratches on me. Evi-
dently the test was sufficient for him, and he laid me
down with covetousness peeping out of his dark
brown eyes. He strolled to the other side of the
ship, but very soon his curiosity overcame him, and
he returned to where Dan was sitting. In rather a
bold manner he took me for the second time from
Dan's hand. The latter said "Viiiaka" (good), and
the savage answered "Vinaka. " They apparently
understood one another on that point. But when the
Fijian said "Sa noqu" (It is mine), and made as

of a Whale's Tooth

if to take me away, Dan jumped up, saying: "Drop
that, you black rapscallion. By merry St. George, I
want kaikai for it. Plank down your yams like a
gentleman and you may have it. Hark ye!"

One word of this harangue attracted the savage's
attention. On hearing the word "kaikai," he turned
laughingly to Dan, and pointing to him, said "kai-
kai." This was too much for those of the crew who
were standing by. Dan was all muscle and bone, and
did not promise to make a dainty morsel.

"Get out, you lubber, I am too hard in the head
for that." The joke was lost on the heathen, who
looked a little bewildered at the effect of his action.
Dan was equal to the occasion, however, and rattled
off the two words "Vinaka, Kaikai," pointing alter-
nately to me and to his waist-coat button. At last
it dawned upon the native what was required. Re-
linquishing me, he made for his canoe as fast as his
copper-coloured legs could carry him. That savage
paddling to shore was a sight worth seeing. So said
Dan's little company. His paddle he used now on
the right and now on the left of his outrigger canoe
to such good effect that he was quickly hidden from
view behind a small headland. Evidently he was set
on being my possessor. Some such thoughts as the
following were apparently passing through his brain :
"If I become the owner of that tooth I shall possess
a charm which shall give me power in the eyes of

40 The Strange Adventures

my people. Such a tooth we have never seen before.
With it I could do anything, for it would be more
valuable than a club or a spear, or any of the symbols
that my people use."

As a matter of fact, I afterwards learned that
the Fijians never did any work of importance with-
out ceremony, and especially, no great compact was
ever made without the aid of a recognised sign, such
as a shell, a club, or a cocoa-nut branch with the
fruit hanging to it. This particular savage was
shrewd enough to see that he might turn me into a
symbol, to be used to good purpose on special occa-
sions. Moreover, I was easily carried, durable,
attractive in appearance, and by far the best whale's
tooth on the ship.

My would-be owner had been away for some
time, and Dan had begun to doubt whether he would
return. At length, two canoes were noticed com-
ing out laden with yams, which looked like huge
potatoes; in addition, the warrior had brought young
cocoa-nuts, a few woven mats, and some ornaments
made from sea-shell.

Dan's face shone with delight as he thought of
Jane and the pleasant surprise he would be able
to give her. It was clear that my fate was sealed,
and that from henceforth my home was to be
amongst these wild people of the South Seas. The
bargain being concluded, I was handed over to my

of a Whale's Tooth

new owner, who at once carefully wrapped me up
and hid me in his canoe.

Other canoes had been conveying supplies of
food and native manufactures, and soon, the crew
had provisions sufficient for months to come. As the
savages seemed peaceful, two boats had also been
sent to shore for fire-wood, and they had returned
several times laden to the gunwale. The Captain,
having no further cause to stay, heaved anchor the
next day, set sail, and departed to seek for more
whales. Of Dan, I heard no more; but there can
be no doubt that he made good his claim to the
curios which he got in exchange for me, thereby
keeping the Captain to his word.

42 The Strange Adventures

CHAPTER IV.
NEW POWERS.

S I have already told ray readers, I have
been in the habit of thinking exceedingly
well of myself. But shortly I was to re-
ceive new powers hitherto not dreamt of in my wildest
imaginings. Instead of being a mere whale's tooth,
I was to become a mystic sign, with virtues des-
tined to shape the lives and institutions of a strange
people. So real did these powers prove to be, that
by-and-bye I came to trust in them as if they were
an actual possession born in ine. I am given to
understand, however, that even in societies of men
this identical self-deception is quite customary, so
that I am not alone in my fault.

It soon become apparent that my new owner re-
garded me with a certain amount of superstitious
awe, and even with fear. He bored holes in me, by
which he might attach native-made cord, and every
day he would hold me up by it, the better to admire
my shape and colour. Then he would turn me over
in his hands, clicking his tongue the while, thus giv-
ing expression to his pride and pleasure.

One day a sudden thought came to birth in his
savage mind. Acting immediately upon it, .he went

of a Whale's Tooth

iiito the woods. It was not till evening that he re-
turned, carrying a plant, which is called in Eng-
lish, Turmeric. From it he made a yellowish dye.
Judge my scorn and shame when I found that my
ivory whiteness was now to be made yellow to suit
the caprice of my barbarous possessor. We are ever
at the mercy of the opinions of others, and I have
found it is one of the hardest things to please every-
body, even barbarians like this Fijian. I must pass
through the unpleasant treatment, therefore, and
lose for ever the gleaming whiteness of which I had
been so proud.

The daily visit was paid as before, but now I
was forced to undergo a massage with oil and
turmeric. Thereupon I turned as yellow as a golden
guinea. If I became more and more disgusted with
myself on that account, I rose daily in the estima-
tion of my owner.

The savage into whose hands I had fallen was
named Dakuloa. He was a high chief in the town
of Kulatu, and was related to a still higher chief
in the town of Ula. To this latter personage, who
was named Ratokaitua, there came one day a
rumour of the good fortune which had befallen his
younger relative in the possession of myself. Wish-
ing to hear more of it, he sent a special message to
Dakuloa to attend on him at once. Fijians are
entirely respectful to their leaders, and are in the

The Strange Adventures

habit of obeying, without question, any command that
is given to them. Dakuloa forthwith embarked in
his canoe, not however before coining to take a part-
ing glimpse at his treasure.

As he turned- to go, his face showed that he
was inwardly displeased with the intentions of Rato-
kaitua.

Dakuloa was away several days. When he re-
turned (it was night) he came at once to see if I
were still in my hiding-place. By the light of a
reed torch, which he carried, I noted that his face
was sullen and lowering. His mission evidently had
not met with great success. He muttered a few
words in Fijian as he entered: "Isa! sa dua na ka
ca." (Alas! it is an evil matter.)

Next morning I was taken up carefully and car-
ried to Dakuloa 's canoe. A curious three-cornered
sail made out of dried grass, finely woven, was
hoisted on two poles, placed anglewise, and we shot
across a strait fifteen miles wide in an incredibly
short time. Dakuloa was taking me to the town
where Ratokaitua, his dreaded uncle, lived.

The approaches to the village were rough bush
tracks, over which the tropical green hung densely.
Underfoot the soil was of a sandy nature, and had
doubtless been formed by the constant washing of
the sea, for it was full of broken coral, pumice, and
shells. A dampness constantly arose from the path,

of a Whale's Tooth

owing probably to the fact that the sun scarcely
ever shone through the thick foliage overhead.
Several birds of bright plumage flitted through the
half-gloom of the track. Passing a stockade, we
came upon a few uncouth pigs, which I afterwards
learned were brought to the Islands by Captain Cook.
There were also some fowls, which had long since
lost all semblance of breed. As we drew near to
the town, several naked children ran and hid be-
hind the tall cocoa-nut trunks. One boy sat upon a
huge drum, nine feet long and nearly four feet high.
It had been an immense tree, and had been hollowed
out by means of stone axes. Of this drum and its
uses I was to learn much. Suffice it now to say that
it was never beaten except for signalling purposes.
We entered the village, and Dakuloa immediately
took me to a large Fijian house at the end of the
square space, which occupied the middle of the town.

Before entering, Dakuloa gave a curious cry,
which was intended evidently as a mark of respect
to the dignitary within. "We then entered the build-
ing, and Dakuloa sat down in silence. After some
moments had elapsed, the voice of the high chief,
Ratokaitua, was heard, as he gave the customary
Fijian greeting:

"Life is good."

"Life is good, sir."

"Have you brought the tooth?"

46 The Strange Adventures

"Yes, sir."

"Good!"

A few moments of silence. Then :

"Let me see it."

I was slowly produced, and brought to the front,
where I got a good view of the face of the man who
was coveting me as his possession. It was the very
embodiment of cruelty. Vile living was written 011
every feature. Evil purposes were patent to the
most casual observer. His eyes were red from his.
drinking heavily of native grog.

"Good!" said lie again, in an abrupt way. It
was plain that he was endeavouring to appear indif-
ferent, but I noticed there was a glint in his blood-
shot eyes which signified more than did the stolidity
of his face.

"Give it to me."

I was handed over. Ratokaitua then turned to
his nephew and said:

"Go and get something to eat. There is food in
the next house."

Dakuloa went out as he was bidden. As soon as
he did so, the cruel savage who now possessed me,
began to exult with devilish joy. He took me up,
and muttered as he looked upon me: "I will have
them now, my enemies. Last moon they mocked me,
but soon they will be mocked. Three more nights

of a Whale's Tooth 47

and then they will be in the oven, and a great feast
will I make.'''

The villain mumbled on in this fashion until a
footstep outside the house warned him that someone
was approaching. Hastily placing me beneath a
mat, he resumed his former passive demeanour.

Not many days afterwards I was carefully
brought to light, but this time in the presence of a
second person.

"See," said Ratokaitua to his companion, "I
have now the means by which I shall carry out my
desire upon my enemies. This tooth shall bring me
the joy of vengeance. Take it by night, as far as
possible, to the town of Naiqoro, where Matavou is
chief, and inquire if he will deliver to me the two
youths who took refuge with him last moon. Should
he still refuse, then show this tooth, and inform him
that I send it with these chiefly words: 'You are a
great chief, and here is a small tooth, which I bring
from my master. Many times he has asked a favour,
but now he sends his respects, and asks for the two
young men who fled to you last moon, and he wishes
you to accept this tooth as a token of his good-will.
It is a ka-mana (a thing with magic power).' '

The messenger was a descendant of a family which
had followed the calling of courier for many genera-
tions. It was therefore no difficulty for him to re-
member the words as dictated by his superior. He

The Strange Adventures

received me with well-defined awe. and, placing me
in a plaited grass basket for the journey, set forth
without further preparation. It was a wild, rugged
pathway which we followed. Gradually we mounted,
upwards until the morning light broke from the;
east. The valleys were then seen to be choked with
thick cloud, which gradually lifted, revealing the
wondrous beauties of tropical scenery. Various^
promontories jutted out boldly to the sea in the direc-
tion whence we had come, while nearer there were
circular beaches of glistening sand. As a contrast
to the latter stood heavy fringes of cocoa-nut trees.
A mile out to sea stretched the foaming coral reef,
as white as the snows of Antarctica. Between the
reef and the beach lay the lagoon, set like a piece
of many-tinted opal in a rim of ivory.

But all this beauty threw into dark relief the low
state of the people living in it. Already I was be-
ing initiated into the treachery, tyranny, cruelty and
crime of these curious tribes. And. unfortunately,
I was to be made an active co-worker in their plot-
tings. Like true-born ivory, I shrank from anything
which was not all of a piece. But Fate had ruled
that I must follow her commands to the full, and
perforce, I obeyed.

Our destination was reached shortly after sun-
rise. It was a mountain village, prettily situated
amongst the hills and valleys of the interior. The

of a Whale's Tooth 49

ocean could no longer be seen, as the mountains hid
it from view. There was the usual flutter of fowls
and rush of pigs, as the messenger climbed the stile
which formed the entrance into the town. Two or
three ill-favoured curs snapped at him viciously.
"Without looking to the right or the left, the mes-
senger made straight for the house of the chief,
Matavou. This man had a darker face than many
of the Fijian people, probably because he was des-
cended more directly from the original inhabitants
of the Group. According to the custom or etiquette
of the people, the messenger sat down in silence until
he should be saluted by Matavou.

"Where have you come from?" is almost an
inquisitive question with Europeans, but in the mouth
of Matavou it was a sign of his gracious attitude to-
wards his visitor.

"Ratokaitua has sent me," was the answer. This
with great deliberation, for unseemly haste is thought
bad diplomacy by Fijians, as well as bad manners.

"Is he well?"

"Yes, sir."

Silence again; then:

"What have you come for?"

"My master has sent me, sir, to pay his respects
to you, and he hopes you are well."

"Good."

50

"And he also wished me to ask for the granting
of his former request."

The change in Matavou's aspect was remarkable.
If possible, his face grew still darker, while his eyes
flashed in anger. But restraining himself, he
answered in a hard voice:

"Go back to your master, and tell him that it
is impossible. The word of a chief has been given,
and I am ashamed that he who has sent you asks so
often that I should break it."

The messenger shrewdly waited until the storm
of anger had passed, and replied softly:

"He bade me press his request, sir."

"Foolish and impudent man! Go, lest evil hap-
pen to you. Tell your master that once for all, it
is impossible."

Very cool and deliberate was the messenger's
next action; for, disregarding the angry chief's com-
mand to be gone, he drew me from the basket in
which I had hitherto been concealed, and holding me
by the plaited fibre cord, said: "Look, sir, you are
a very great chief, and this is a small tooth which
I bring from Ratokaitua. Many times he has asked
a favour. But now he sends his respects, and begs
for the two young men who fled to you for refuge
last moon, and he also requests that you will accept,
as a token of his good-will, this tooth. It is a ka-

of a Whale's Tooth

mana." The well-planned ruse was so unexpected
that it swept the old man from his self-possession.
One would have thought that there were actually
some magic power coming from me, for as soon as
his eyes rested upon me his countenance changed, as
does the face of a child when a new toy is placed
within its reach. There was more than mere curi-
osity in his attitude, however, for he realised in a
moment that the possession of me meant power to
him.

Eagerly his bony hand clutched at me, and quite
as eagerly he raised me to his wide nostril, at the
same time drawing in his breath sharply (the
Fijian kiss), which action became from that time the
right way for all others when receiving the whale's
tooth.

"It is well," said he; "for your master's chiefly^
character has overcome me. He is a true chief, and
the sign thereof I hold in my hands. Leave me
for a time."

The messenger retired with the air of a man who
had done his part successfully. Matavou continued
to inspect me as if I were a spirit from the world
of the dead. Gradually a dark look of an evil pur-
pose crept over his face, boding ill for the two young
men. A message was sent to the leading chiefs of
the clan to meet him in council. Obediently they
crept in, one 'by one, and took their places, accord-

The Strange Adventures

ing to their rank and influence, in a half-circle. So
they sat, a council of death, and as they listened
silently, the old chief proposed that the two young
men should be given up. It was no hard matter for
them to agree to their chief's decision. Two men
more or less in the world, seemed a mere trifle to
these wild men of the Islands. Of more importance
was the manner of their capture. To this fell task
they bent all their savage inventive power. After
long deliberation, it was decided that sports should
be held in honour of their two guests, and that all
the residents in the town should vie with one an-
other in the game of throwing the spear. It was
further arranged in their dark counselling, that
when the two young men were watching the per-
formance, certain braves should be told off to throw
them suddenly on their backs and bind them. Mata-
vou informed his Privy Council, in a hoarse whisper,
that he had decided to send the refugees to Ruto-
kaitua, that that chief might vent his hatred upon
them. Not one of those present were ignorant of
the possible fate of the victims, but the knowledge
of it did not deter them from their project.

The whole affair was carried out as arranged.
The game of "Veitiqa," or throwing the mock spear,
is one which has engaged the idle moments of
Fijians for generations past, and is as much a de-
light to the onlookers as to those competing. By long
practice the warriors have acquired singular skill

of a Whale's Tooth 53

in the amusement. The mock spear is a reed about
four feet long, with a heavy knob of wood attached
to one end. It seemed the easiest matter in the
world to make this improvised spear travel like a
flash a hundred yards, but it is actually one of the
hardest things to do. Let the doubter try for him-
self.

A long space had 'been cleared between the cocoa-
nuts from older times; even the grey-beards did
not remember when it was prepared. Many happy
gatherings had made the locality ring with loud
laugh and crude joke, and the crowd of savages who
meandered to the spot on this particular occasion
were happy enough; for even cannibals can, for a
moment, lay aside the cares of life in order to make
merry with their friends.

No suspicion of foul play lurked in the minds
of the fine young athletic victims. The day was
charming. The spear-throwers gave themselves
heartily to the sport, while their admirers shouted
their approbation of any especial feat upon the part
of their favourites.

The two young men were sitting with their faces
towards the game, nor did they notice the stealthy
movements of half a dozen warriors who were ap-
pointed to the traitorous act. When the excitement
was at its height, there was a sudden leap, a cry,
and the two were struggling on the ground with

The Strange Adventures

their would-be captors. As they attempted to rise
the others leaped upon them heavily, making it im-
possible for them to defend themselves. Temporarily
disabled, they were easily secured, and were soon
lashed securely to stout pieces of bamboo, and so,
with terror in their eyes, they were carried face
downwards through the forest to the town of their
fierce enemy. When the full meaning of what had
happened dawned upon the merry crowd, their
laughing was effectually stopped; the people made
no noise, excepting for a fierce yell that occasion-
ally broke upon the stillness from some over-
wrought warrior. Night fell, but no sleep came to
the villagers, their excitement completely banishing
repose.

They conversed in whispers; until early moi-uing,
when a faint boom and thud, heard alternately,
floated upwards from the coast. It was fully ten
miles as the crow flies, but the huge drum in Rato-
kaitua's village was distinctly heard in the still
morning air. Men spoke with fear in their voices,
and women trembled, as they listened to the omin-
ous beat — the awful meaning of which they had
learned by bitter experience.

Again the eventide, with its soft colours and cool
breezes. The long shadows of the cocoa-nuts gradu-
ally disappeared in the gloom of night. A solitary
traveller, carrying two small baskets upon a pole.

of a Whale's Tooth

made his way from the rugged path to the chief's
house. His burden he deposited in the midst of the
company assembled for the evening meal. After a
few moments' rest he displayed his gift to full view.
Horror of horrors! Could it be a cannibal peace-
offering ?

My readers will not be sorry to pass from this
scene. The new powers vested in me were grievous
indeed to be borne. Had I consulted my own wishes,
it is certain that I should not have chosen my pre-
sent existence. Jack the Cornishman would surely
have been less hopeful with regard to the savage in-
habitants of the Islands if he had witnessed the
deeds which came directly under my notice. Acts
such as the one I have described were common in
those dark days, but I spare me the gruesome details.

My next adventure was more to my liking, which
I shall relate, however, in a new chapter.

56 The Strange Adventures

CHAPTER V.
THE ATONEMENT.

|Y readers will pardon me if I indulge in a
little dry talk. I must confess to a weak-
ness in that direction, though a whale's
tooth is not supposed to know anything of hard think-
ing. A little explanation is, however, necessary just
at this point in order to make my story clear.

It is a mistake to think that savage peoples are
always bent on wrongdoing. If they had without
ceasing sought to commit deeds such as that des-
cribed in the last chapter, they would be fiends of
hell. Cruel though the Fijians were, they had their
times when they tired of doing frightful things. It
may be said that the Islanders are much like child-
ren, in this respect, that the bad deed of to-day
they want to forget, if possible, to-morrow.

It seems also to be a necessary part of their exis-
tence that they shall relieve their minds by certain
simple games.

If it were not so they would have destroyed them-
selves by constant warfare.

These pastimes and amusements release the pent-
up animal spirits in their breasts, just as in the

of a Whale's Tooth

ease of schoolboys amongst my readers, and the
natives throw themselves into their games with great
zest, every person taking part, as far as possible, in
the fun. No native game caused so much genuine
enthusiasm in Fiji as the sport called "Veitiqa"
(throwing the spear). For the time being, at least,
the people forgot their enemies and their enmities,
and they lost the vague fear of the ever-possible
attack which haunted them in their hours of
indolence.

Their amusements also were, in the main, a dis-
play of pure fun. Even their dances, in which they
decorated themselves to some effect, were not sug-
gestive of evil as in other islands of the Pacific;
on the contrary, they were a simple, healthy plea-
sure. The crowds of onlookers are on such occa-
sions carried completely away by the happiness of
the moment — not by any direct hint of evil, but by
a fresh movement or manner of dress set off on the
village green. The dances of the present day were
handed down, as far as their form goes, from the
forgotten past, and to outsiders who see them for
the first time the picture of the regular movement,
flashing with colour, is very pleasing, especially
when the surrounding foliage is rich in shades of
green.

There were times, then, when the people turned
for a moment from the more terrible aspects of

The Strange Adventures

their savage life to pursuits and occupations of peace.
It happens often, therefore, that a savage leader,
grossly cruel on some occasions, will tire of his
cruel acts and seek change in his planting, his amuse-
ments, or some other method of lessening the weari-
ness of his mind.

Thus it was with Matavou. After the revolting
episode related in the last chapter, he looked for a
salve to his disturbed spirit, and therefore his
thoughts turned in the direction of peace. Might it
not also have been the sign of a better thought that
man's life is not altogether at its highest when spent
in slaying and plotting?

On account of this passing change in the man, it
was my lot to be lead gradually into another phase
of Fijian life and character.

Matavou had had a long history of bickering
and quarrelling with a neighbouring chief, whose
name was Sikalutu. It had come to such a pass
that the affair might, like a festering sore, break out
at any moment into violence. When a man was
injured in Fiji by another he pledged himself never
to forget the insult until it had been avenged. If
the injured one were to die, it was the custom to
pass on the evil burden to his son, and to his son's
son. Many sad stories may be told how anger, like
a stream, has begun in but a little thing, and has
grown by mutual wrong into something out of all
proportion to its cause.

of a Whale's Tooth 59

Matavou 's trouble was a true instance of the
foregoing native practice, and was on this wise.
When he was a young man (which was about thirty
years before) he had been an energetic native
planter. It was his custom to go into the mountains
before sunrise, and work in his garden. He was an
adept in the art of growing yams; also taro, with
leaves like a lily, and sweet potatoes.

The yams he grew by first digging up little
hillocks about a yard apart and about a foot high.
In these he planted slices^ of old yams after the man-
ner of potato-planting in European countries, with
this difference, that he did not need to look for the
eyes. After planting he watched the hillocks until
the long, running vine of the plant began to make
its appearance. Matavou then went into the woods
to get reeds, which he placed in the ground beside
the runner, so that the latter could climb according
to its nature. If an old dead tree stood near, so
much the better, for the vine could then wind itself
around the trunk and branches until they were
covered. Should there be too many stones in the
plot, he piled them up into a strong hedge, over
which the plants might freely clamber. Carefully
did Matavou tend his yams until they were mature,
which was about six or eight months after plant-
ing. Matavou also built in the centre of his garden
a neat little reed house, in which he might keep his
spare produce until required.

60 The Strange Adventures

When the yams were dug, sweet potato twigs
could be placed in the empty hillocks, and a second
crop raised in the same ground. It took but three
months for sweet potatoes to come to perfection, and
the vegetables thus procured became indispensable
during a season of the year when yams were scarce.

But Matavou had also neat irrigation plots made
by damming up a small stream with earth, so as to
cause the depth of water over the flat surface to be
about two or three inches. Merely using a pointed
stick, he made holes about a yard apart, where the
water thus flowed, and then planted deeply the young
shoots of the taro. These again were exceedingly use-
ful in the season when other foods had been ex-
hausted. Matavou was very proud of his terraced
taro beds, and indeed, he had good reason for so
feeling, as his taro was admittedly the best in the
district.

The chief was following his usual pursuit with
great ardour when he was about the marriageable
age, as Fijians say, and determined to make a yam-
garden high up in the ridges some distance from his
town. He chose a fine piece of land above a rock
cliff where the earth was rich and loamy, fitted for
the production of yams. His judgment, as usual,
was not at fault, and in the month of March the
vegetables were ready to dig. Matavou paid an
early morning visit, therefore, in order to get the
very finest, as a present of first-fruits to his chief.

of a Whale's Tooth

While engaged in his task he heard a step, and im-
mediately seized his clu'b and spear, which he always
kept beside him. The tall reeds parted, and a young
chief of a neighbouring tribe stood before him with
anger depicted on his face.

"What are you doing here?" asked he.

"Digging the first fruits," answered Matavou.

"You shall have none to-day," was the fierce
response.

"Why not?" said the other, grasping tightly his
spear and club.

"Because you have been planting on my land."

"It is a lie," retorted Matavou.

"It is you that lie, you base-born serf," returned
the savage stranger, at the same time spitting on
the ground* between them.

Quick as a flash Matavou threw his spear, but
his antagonist as quickly evaded it, and the shaft
buried itself with a hiss amongst the reeds.

They two then challenged each other to mortal
combat. Placing their clubs handle downwards upon
the ground, they encircled each other, watching their
opportunity to make the first blow. While they
executed this movement their muscles stood out in
coils. Their eyes flashed mutual defiance. There
was a panther-like leap and the two struck
mightily. It seemed as if they had but parried. A
rain of heavy blows followed, so that they were
almost exhausted, and their breath came in short,

62

The Strange Adventures

quick gasps. Suddenly Matavou dropped his club,
every wild instinct now awakened within him. He
seized his adversary around the waist, and putting
forth all his powers, flung him over the cliff. There
he lay, a helpless, huddled mass. A cry rang out
from above. It was clear to Matavou that the con-
flict had been seen. He therefore sped away as
swiftly as possible to a safe refuge.

His enemy did not die. The cry that was heard
by Matavou came from one of Sikalutu's own
people, who had by chance come upon the combatants
at the crucial moment. His warriors were speedily
called, who bore him away, and tended him until he
recovered strength.

But Sikalutu had sworn a solemn vow of ven-
geance. From that time, these two were unrelent-
ing foes, and through the years that had elapsed,
many insults and injuries had been heaped by each
upon the other.

Matavou was appreciably different, however, as
an old man, from what he was in the wild days of
his youth. The day after he had received me from
Ratokaitua he sat in his house pondering long over
this long-continued feud. For some time he had
wished in his heart that he could bring it to an end.
It had come to him suddenly, in the midst of his
reflections, that now he had the means by which the
whole bitter quarrel might be amicably settled. He

of a Whale's Tooth

would take me, the whale's tooth, which he had had
the good fortune to secure, and he would present me
to Sikalutu, with a large gift of food, and so make
a lasting peace. Long did he brood upon the possi-
bilities of the case, until the determination to make
amends found permanent lodgment in his mind.

So soon, then, as the month of the maturing yams
(March) came round, he gave orders to his people
to bring in the first-fruits. "For," said he, "I wish
to make a present to Sikalutu." All wondered at
the humility of their savage chief, and at another
time they would have despised him. On this oc-
casion, however, the people were as tired of the con-
tinual fighting as their leader was, and with some
alacrity they set themselves to obey the command.
In addition to the yams, ten pigs were to be pro-
vided, together with twenty fowls. Each woman
was to supply at mat, woven with the best dried grass
they could procure.

When all the preparations were made, a mes-
senger was sent to his old-time enemy to say that
he was bringing a gift. Such a thing was unheard
of in the personal relationships of these two. Nor
could Sikalutu suspect anything other than treachery.
It was, therefore, with a forced appearance of good-
will, that he appeared in the village green to receive
Matavou. The meaning of his large escort was un-
mistakable. According to the custom, he and his

The Strange Adventures

retinue occupied one side of the clear space, while
Matavou and his followers sat opposite. They were
all armed as if for war, and looked like opposing
armies.

At a command from Matavou, his men suddenly
laid down their spears and clubs, taking up instead
their gifts. With great self-possession Matavou then
led them forth into the centre space, intoning a
native chant composed for the event. "When the
food had been deposited carefully, they returned to
their places. An ominous silence ensued. It was
evident that Sikalutu still thought it a plot. At a
given sign, Matavou 's messenger advanced, as spokes-
man, to a point midway between the principal parties.
He stood there silently for a half-minute, holding me
out at arm's-length. Slowly turning from side to
side, he displayed me to Sikalutu and his warriors.
The sun shone upon me. making me to gleam like
burnished gold. What magic spell was moving out-
wards from me I know not.

The speaker began ! ' ' Sir. we are here to-day
to make amends. My master has called me to speak to
you on thiswise. He is tired of the war that has
been going on between our clans. He has considered
long and earnestly the whole matter, and now feels
he desires peace. But how to secure all that he
wished for he knew not.

At last there came into his keeping this small
tooth, which he knows is a ka-mana: and now he

of a Whale's Tooth

brings it to you with the chiefly request that we
cease from our quarrel. We ask, sir, that the past
may be buried, of which let this tooth be the sign.
So may you and we live, and let the country
prosper."

A long cry. beginning high in the scale and
descending to a deep guttural, a cry not unmusical,
yet fearfully thrilling and penetrating, arose from
Matavou's men, sealing what had been uttered.

He who held me in his hands stood awaiting in
a dramatic manner the issue.

The change in the countenances of the others was
instantaneous, as when a thunderstorm empties itself
of rain and passes away.

Then Sikalutu did in the sight of all a thing un-
precedented. Forgetting, in his change of feeling,
the usual dignity of a chief at such a time, he rose
and received the present himself, kissing me as did
Matavou on a previous occasion in his private house-
Returning, he whispered a few words. His men
thereupon laid down their arms, and the town-crier
arose, holding me in his hands before him as Mata-
vou's messenger had done, and after a short pause,
said: "Chiefs from Naiqoro, I am directed by my
master to say that th.e whole affair astonishes him
beyond measure. He is of one heart and one mind
with you, as he too is tired of the feud. He would
have given it up long ago but for the evil spirit

66 The Strange Adventures

that was in him. Now he has learned a lesson from
Matavou, and says that as for him, the past is buried
for ever. I have finished."

A long-drawn cry followed, in confirmation of this
speech, ending in a loud chorus from the assembled
onlookers as they repeated again and again their
word for "good": "Vinaka! Vinaka!"

Sikalutu gave orders that food should be brought
and placed before his visitors. "Which being done,
they all joined in the repast with much heartiness,
entirely free from treachery.

My achievement on this occasion was more to my
ivory heart. In the light of later history, the happy
ending of this quarrel was a sign and prophecy of
a .still greater reconciliation, having respect to the
whole Fijian people, and brought about by an Atone-
ment availing for ever and ever.

of a Whale's Tooth 67

CHAPTER VI.
THE RED FLAME OF WAR.

I ARK races are said to be vainer than their
white brethren. Whether the statement
be true or false, it is certain that the
former are bolder and more unblushing in their
vanity than the latter. Sikalutu, now in possession
of the mysterious power vested in me, was wont to
plume himself upon his good fortune. Moreover, he
could not resist the temptation to self-conceit when-
ever he thought of the humbling of Matavou. He
gradually began to consider himself as the higher
and better of the two, and to flatter himself that the
honours of the long quarrel rested with him. The
sweet taste of superiority proved too potent, and
ambition rose in his heart. Why should he not
increase his influence amongst the surrounding tribes
to such an extent as to make himself supreme? Such
was his thought. Only one serious rival could be
seen on the political horizon, viz., Uluimoala. a
powerful chief, whose town was situated about twenty
miles to the north-west. If he were vanquished, then
Sikalutu would be the dominating ruler throughout
the district.

The Strange Adventures

With me, the celebrated whale's tooth, ray owner
hoped to win trusty allies for his cause. Relieved of
the strain which had resulted from the feud between
himself and Matavou, he felt now that he would be
strong enough to essay the difficult task of conquer-
ing Uluimoala. But first he must test his own people,
his savage warriors, and his priests, as to what they
thought of the chance or likelihood of success. He
therefore called a secret meeting of his priests and
raost influential followers. These numbered, when
gathered in their council meetings, about thirty men.
Before the main discussion began, the members of
the council performed a ceremony, which, unfor-
tunately, is still the custom, viz., of plying their
leader with native grog. Long did he drink, until the
red flame of war leaped out from his wild eyes. Then
said he: "You have seen the trend of events of late,
how that Matavou has been humbled before me, mak-
ing a peace of his own choice. The position of our
people is now firmer than before. Why not make
ourselves yet stronger?"

"It is true, sir," they answered in unison.

"Now," said he, "our gods are the spirits of our
fathers, and they have hinted in a dream to me that
we shall be as the lords of the land."

"True, sir," was the obedient echo, accompanied
by the sound of clicking tongues.

Encouraged by the temper of the meeting. Sika-
lutu continued: "There is but one who threatens us

of a Whale's Tooth

in these times, and he prevents us *at every turn.
His name is Uluimoala. It was only last moon that
he stopped our men from using the pathway to the
fishing-grounds in the bay, where we and our fore-
fathers before us have fished during many genera-
tions. It is he who must be conquered. I have
decided, therefore, that there shall be war, for which
reason I have called you together this day."

Such was the tenor of his speech, and perforce his
followers agreed. The two priests, on the other
hand, moved probably by their covetousness of the
chief's powers, spoke on a rather different line. It
was their mind that the war should begin, but first
they thought it wise to ask, in the ancient way, the
spirits of the departed chiefs (who were the gods
of the clan), whether they approved of the venture
or not. True, their leader had given them his inten-
tion to wage war, but now let them first of all inquire
of the gods, lest evil follow. Then they would advise
the council, and not till then.

"Good," said they, all. The two priests were
freely offered native grog, which was looked upon as
a necessary aid in all such matters. One of the two
was selected to place himself in touch with the spirits.

The priests thereupon departed to the spirit-
house, where they imbibed more grog. It was not
long before the chosen one was thrown into con-
vulsions by the excited state of his mind, and he

70 The Strange Adventures

rolled upon the ground as if in mortal agony. Then
his eyes became fixed, as when a man falls into a
trance; thus he lay quite still for about fifteen
minutes. At the close of that period he arose, as
though nothing had happened, and communicated
what he had seen to his companion. The verdict of
the gods was favourable.

"Two things are necessary," said he, "and must
be done to insure success in. battle. First, the war-
riors should be tested by the priests; secondly, the
great tabua (whale's tooth) should be sent to Rai-
votu, who was a neighbouring chief, asking for aid
in the war."

The council of chiefs was delighted with the re-
sult of the enquiry, and drank more grog than ever,
so that their evil passions and vindictive feelings
were now aroused to the highest pitch. •

On the next day the warriors were tested accord-
ing to the direction of their spiritual advisers. Very
early in the morning the former blackened their
faces in anticipation of the forthcoming martial dis-
play. For further decoration they used cocoa-nut
oil. poured freely upon their shoulders, until it ran
down in streams. A vegetable black, together with
a red earth, they sprinkled thickly on their chests
and arms. For a girdle, they wore grass of varied
colours, which was securely fastened to the waist,
giving the wearer an ostrich-like appearance.

of a Whale's Tooth 71

The sun was high when all their arrangements
were completed. A feast, specially ordered, was
almost ready for those who should pass the trial or
test of a brave warrior. Intense excitement prevailed.
It was toward midday when Sikalutu took his place
upon a mat spread under a large bread-fruit tree,
which threw a dark shadow upon the green grass.
He himself was adorned with native cloth of a
curious pattern; also with armlets and feathers. In
his hand he held a mosquito swisher. No sooner was,
he seated than a messenger was directed to inform
the braves that they might advance. Immediately
they ranged themselves into an irregular body. Each
man had all the available weapons he could carry.
A spear, bow and arrows, a large and a small club,
comprised the list.

When the warriors, who numbered one hundred
strong, had entered the square, one of them advanced
toward Sikalutu, at the same time uttering a curious
cry in honour of him. Forthwith he assumed a fight-
ing attitude before his general, as if the battle had
begun. His long spear he poised in his right hand,
making it to vibrate so rapidly that the tips were as
indiscernible as the wings of an insect hovering in
the air. Taking a step forward, he laid his spear at
his feet, and then placed himself in the act of chal-
lenging an imaginary foe. This he did by resting
his large club upon the ground with the handle
downwards, grasping with both hands the heavier

The Strange Adventure?

end. So he stood for a moment, his body swaying
to and fro, as if he waited for the onslaught of the
enemy. His eyes made savage contrast with the black
paint with which the sockets were surrounded, and
now began to gleam with frenzy, demon-like. Then
swiftly he snatched the spear from the ground and
leaped high in the air, challenged, crouched, sprang
forwards, vibrated his spear, lunged with it, whirled
his club; and so for the space of a couple of minutes
he exercised his muscles to the savage delight of the
chief and the watching crowd. By the time he had
concluded his gymnastic display he had come directly
in front of Sikalutu. Quickly stooping low. he
uttered his curious cry once more, and stood still.
Between his quick breaths, he made a short speech,
promising that thus and thus would he do in battle,
nor would he return until he had slain his opponent.

Through more than a couple of hours the war-
riors boasted themselves in the eyes of all, each man
varying his actions according to his own caprice.

Meanwhile the priests had been arranging the
test as they had proposed. Mere boasting, empty
promises, and vain words could be uttered by any
man. Now should the gods prove which was the
brave warrior, and who would die for his chief. They
had therefore planted reeds in the ground a few yards
away from where the exhibition above-described had
taken place. These reeds were but four feet high,
and were about three feet apart, like the posts of a

A Peaceful Retreat.

Stinson Photo.

of a Whale's Tooth

doorway. Across the top several reeds were fastened
in the form of aii arch. Two such arches were made
at a little distance from each other.

Now the cunning test was that each warrior must
pass, fully armed and in a stooping posture, under
the archways. He who gave signs of fear to the
spirits would be indicated at the door of judgment
by the trembling of his body. The sign to the on-
lookers, and especially to the priests, would be that
the weapons carried by the fearful would rattle.
There was a method in this madness, for any hero
who could silently pass through the low aperture
without even rattling his weapons, would he not be
a trustworthy man to approach a beleagured town,
or to wait in ambush, or stalk a foe?

Great was the shame of some half a dozen who
failed to pass the test, and greatest was their
ignominy before the assembled women, whose power
of ridicule at such times was much feared.

Sikalutu himself was pleased with the result of
the trial, and plied the priests with native grog and
roasted pig, which the two agents of the spirits were,
of course, pleased to accept.

The chief then arranged for a swift messenger to
carry the great whale's tooth, as they styled me, to
E-aivotu, in the town of Rarama. This chief was
exceedingly influential and a very serviceable ally.
I was now to ignite the flame of war by securing his
aid for Sikalutu.

The Strange Adventures

Raivotu was about to go down to the coast to fish
when the message arrived. He turned back, there-
fore, with some show of reluctance to his house.
When he and his councillors were seated at one end
of the long building, the messenger came, as soon
as possible, to the venture in hand, by holding me
out in full view of all. He then began deliberately
to utter the following words: "Chiefs and warriors,.
I have brought you this small tooth, that it might
be the means of death to Uluimoala and his people ;,
that they may be killed, every one of them. Foster
kindly feelings, I pray you, towards my master, and
may the outcome be the burning of our enemy's,
village, for Uluimoala and his men are our mutual
foes. We are trusting and hoping much in you, that
you will do as we have requested."

The other members of the deputation (there were
three who supported the messenger) cried together,
"Mana," referring to the efficacy of the powers-
vested in myself.

Raivotu, when he saw me, lost a little of his.
vexation, and was the more willing to hear the re-
quest because of my attractive and uncommon ap-
pearance. He had also an old score to wipe off with
Uluimoala. I could see, however, that the very
thought of owning the celebrated whale's tooth, of
which so much had been heard, was quite sufficient
to influence him in the direction of war. It was as
if I were a fetish, potent, devilish.

of a Whale's Tooth

Forthwith preparations began to be made. The
fishing expedition was postponed, and the time of
the assault was chosen instead. Two nights must
elapse, and on the third night they would, in con-
junction with Sikalutu, invest the ill-fated town. Be-
fore the third night Raivotu took the precaution to
convey food to his hill-fort, where the women and
children, the old men and the sick, might find refuge
during the fight. The fort was a steep ridge, about
three hundred feet high, surmounted by a few houses,
amongst which grew cocoa-nuts and other fruit trees.

Despite the secrecy which attended all Sika-
lutu's movements, an inkling of what was brewing
came to Uluimoala's ears, nor did his small army
leave any stone unturned in their endeavour to repel
their enemies. Their chief fortifications were the
stockades, a series of reed fences mounted upon clay
or earth ridges. Behind these the defenders might
resist the besiegers for a considerable time, for the
stockades were placed along the approaches in such
a way that the warriors could flee from the first to
the second, and then to the third, and so to the
village itself.

On the third night the allies invested the town
where Uluimoala lived. The besieged were in no
way surprised when, in the early morning, a taunt-
ing challenge was heard from beyond the first
stockade. They ran to their posts and flung back
as bitter insults as they had received. Yet they did

The Strange Adventures

not accept the challenge to go out and fight in the
open.

Shortly after daybreak the first attack was made.
A flight of arrows heralded the approach of the be-
siegers as they leaped from cover to cover. Nothing
could withstand the onrush of those men who had
passed through the priests' test. A certain frenzy
seized upon them, and it seemed as if they were im-
mune. The superstitious belief which they had in
their religious leaders filled them with a reckless
daring.

The first stockade was taken, and the second also,
before night. There remained but the third, which
was exceptionally strong. The leaders there/fore
ordered the warriors to cease fighting, while they
held a council of war. Weary with the long day's
work in the hot sun, it was with relief the savages
flung themselves upon their mats. Several were set
apart to cook food in the ground ovens. I will spare
the reader the details of the viands.

Fijian tactics in war time were full of cunning.
To outwit the opponent was the joy of battle with
these wild children of nature. Less pleasure was
attached to the act of crushing the enemy by sheer
force of numbers. To keep under cover as much as
possible, and to leave it only when danger seemed
least imminent, was also characteristic of the Fijian
warrior.

of a Whale's Tooth 77

The task that now lay before the allies was a
more risky one than they had hitherto faced, and
could be successfully accomplished by strategy only.
Any other course would mean the sacrifice of many
lives. One grey-beard suggested, therefore, that an
attack should be made on one side of the town, so
as to draw off the garrison in that direction. A
second force could be held ready to make a breach
-in the defences on the other side. After some
deliberation, this proposition was deemed unlikely to
succeed.

Then the chief of the priests outlined a plan
which was finally accepted.

"Let the archers," said he. "tie frayed masi
(native cloth), about a finger thickness, around the
heads of their arrows. The masi shall then be
ignited and allowed to smoulder a little. When it
has properly caught, the archers shall shoot the darts
at night upon the houses within the town. As they
speed through the air they will burst into flame and
will then bury themselves in the thatched roofs. The
men who are defending the stockade will, in their
fear, rush to put them out. Then will be our chance."
The assembled chiefs praised the sagacity of the
priest, and immediately decided to follow his scheme.

That night was one of unequalled beauty. Every
leaf on tree or shrub glimmered in the moonlight.
There was no sound, though every ear was alert on
either side to catch the crackling of a twig or the

78

The Strange Adventures

rustle of a leaf. Even the breeze, blowing off the
land, scarcely stirred the lightest branch as it hung
daintily from the parent stem.

At midnight this glorious scene was changed sud-
denly into an inferno. The twang of thirty bow-
strings awoke the echoes of the woods. Thirty
meteors sped like rockets for swiftness. A house
immediately burst into flame near its ridge, for the
hot summer sun had made the thatch as dry as
tinder. A startled cry from witliin the town drew
the attention of the defenders to a cruel fact. ""A
gasau vakabuka ! A gasau vakabuka ! Fiery arrows !
Fiery arrows!" To save their houses by pulling
out the flaming darts was the thought that leaped
into action. But what of the stockade? Half a
dozen braves vainly endeavoured to resist a force of
fifty men tested by the priests, and they paid the
penalt}*- with their lives. The cries of the dying
savages mingled with the demonaiacal yells of the
invaders as the latter slew without mercy.

A dozen huge bonfires lit up the surrounding
forest with a weird light, that added to the awful-
ness of the moment. Gradually the inferno grew
quiet again, save for the shout of some warrior mad-
dened by the lust for blood.

The victors, wildly exultant, drew around their
camp fires at the close of the fight, and told of their
prowess in battle. In the flush of their triumph they

of a Whale's Tooth

7!)

•did not discover that they themselves had not come
off scathless. The red flame of war had indeed left
a black scar where Uluimoala's village had stood, but
It had also swept away one of the chiefest of their
number, Kaivotu himself.

80

The Strange Adventures

CHAPTER VII.
BURIED.

PON the large wooden drum in the town of
Kara ma men played a funeral beat which
filled every valley with its mournful
sound. A panic seized the women and children, the
old men and the sick, who had been taken to the
hill-fort for safety, because they knew what the dread
signal indicated. A chief, mighty in battle, had
fallen. Very spitefully was the message taken up
by a small drum, which in its turn was accompanied
by three large drums booming ominously like the
thunder of the Pacific rollers on the coral reefs.
Moreover, the beat came from the direction of their
own town. Who has been slain? So they queried
as they watched anxiously down the woodland path.

A messenger came running up the hill. In his
haste he stumbled the last few yards. "The battle
is over, and we are the victors," he gasped; "but
our chief is fallen. Raivotu is no more. Bravely
did he fight, like a champion always. It was at the
very last that he fell, pierced by a spear thrown at
random in the final skirmish.

"He lay there mortally wounded, but was able to
speak. These are his words: 'I am about to die.

Cocoanuts.

Stinson Photo.

of a Whale's Tooth

The enemy flee. Now bury me in the depths of the
great cave at Soqeda. I know this is not the custom
of my people, but let the battle be remembered in
this way. Another request and my spirit goes. The
tooth, the great whale's tooth from the south, let it
go with me to secure my entrance into the happy
resting-place of my race. They, the enemies whom
we have slain, shall live with the spirits of hogs in
yonder bare hill, but I shall triumphantly go to the
land where only the brave can enter.' These were
his last words, my friends, and we promised him
that we should carry out all his desire. While he
drew his last breath we waved a cloth about his
chiefly body, so fast growing cold, to catch his chiefly
essence, and the crier has it this instant wrapped on
a piece of hardwood in his house."

The story was cut short by the sad wailing of the
women, as is the custom with these strange people.

"Ule! Ule! Isa! Isa! Sa bale na turaga."

"Woe! Woe! Alas! Alas! The chief has
fallen."

Thus their cry continued to the setting of the
sun.

Meanwhile the dead warrior had been brought
slowly and sadly into the village where the people
all repaired to carry out the last rites. Only the
bravest might carry him. To these simple folk ha
was half-god, of the divine race of chiefs. True it

The Strange Adventures

was that he had been terribly cruel at times. By his
oppression and tyranny he had inspired them all
with abject fear. In his paroxysms of anger he had
been like a devil incarnate. All this, however, had
the more deeply imbued their minds with the idea
of his power as a member of the divine order. Now
that he was dead they were ready to elect him to a
position among their already numerous gods. Never
would they forget him while life should last. As
often as they spoke of him, so often would they omit
his name by substituting the title — "the chief who
has fallen" — or at the most, whisper the name itself
with bated breath.

And what of the two requests which he had made
before he died? The last words of the lowest com-
moner were always sacred; much more, then, the
dying .commands of this most powerful chief.

The council of minor dignitaries sat long while
they debated the course to be adopted, and the out-
come was that they should first install his successor
according to the time-honoured way. His brother,
being the next-of-kin, was the heir. Orders were
given to the town crier to call out aloud in the vil-
lage that the arrangements for the installation would
be effected on the morrow, after which the burial
would take place. The town crier went into the vil-
lage green, where he stood and cried :

"Men and women of Rarama, you know that our
chief is fallen, and there is one who lives to take his

of a Whale's Tooth

place. He will be made chief to-morrow before the
sun mounts high in the heavens. Prepare ! Prepare !
When that is done, let everybody make his way to the
place of burial. It is finished.'*

The morrow broke fine, and the ceremonies began.
Mats were spread under a large nutmeg tree in the
village. Here the new chief took his seat, accom-
panied by those nearest of kin. Bowing low, the
crier advanced towards him, holding in his hand the
piece of wood around which was twisted the native
cloth that had in it the essence of the dead warrior.
Then in full view of all the people, the chief crier
begirdled it, sash-like, about the waist of the new
hero. Again bowing low, he crept away in a stoop-
ing attitude until he had reached a respectful dis-
tance. His next act was simply to take his seat, and
then gently clap his leg in token that his duty was
over.

Immediately all the people gave the same blood-
curdling cry that I had heard on so many former
occasions, and which seems typical of the Fijian
people. By this means the clans accepted their
leader, and recognised that the essence of Raivotu
had passed into his successor.

The installed chief now took control of the pro-
ceedings and ordered the feast tolae presented, which
ceremony occupied the attention of almost everybody
in the town until the afternoon, when the burial
was to take place.

The Strange Adventures

My readers will perhaps think it strange that
these curious folk should feast in the hour of sorrow.
But the Fijians are not alone in this custom, for
many other peoples do the same thing. The reason
of it is possibly that the simple minds of inferior
nations cannot bear the strain of grief too long, and
therefore have recourse to this method of diverting
their attention from the object of their sorrow. Some
have said that the funeral feast arose first of all from
the desire of the survivors to provide sustenance for
the departed on his journey. It is much more, how-
ever, than the thought of helping the dead which
prompts the "Fijian to make feasts on such occasions.
They live in clans, and they feel as clans; as clans
therefore they attempt to relieve the oppression of
present sorrow. Doubtless only inferior minds could;
be comforted in this coarse way, yet the value and
meaning of funeral feasts must not on that account
be underrated.

The body of the dead chief was wrapped in fine
mats for interment. His wives presented a sad
spectacle as they sat fanning the face of the de-
parted. The house was also full of relatives and sym-
pathisers, who sat mourning. At last orders were
given for the burial. The body in its mats was
then lifted by chosen young men. and was slowly
carried away.

The pathway had been previously cleared of the
jungle, so that the funeral cortege had no difficulty

of a Whale's Tooth 85

in its progress. The town crier was appointed to
carry the "great whale's tooth," for I was to be
buried with the dead, according to his last wish.

With regard to his desire to be interred in the
cave, the peoples were all of one mind. Under ordin-
ary circumstances a, grave deep and wide would have
been excavated by a picked band of men. In that case
the followers would have each been provided with
mats, which would have been laid one upon another,,
in order to make a clean resting-place for the dead.
But no grave was needed for Raivotu, for had not
he asked to be laid far away in an unfrequented por-
tion of the cave? Still, one or two mats were taken
by the party, to be spread on the ground.

The procession wound irregularly beside a shallow
stream, from which it headed after a while to the
right, in the direction of a moderately high range of
mountains. Naked boys sped on in advance as fast
as their sleek brown legs could carry them.

Arriving at last at the mouth of the cave, which
was situated in the aforesaid range of mountains, the
band of warriors halted a moment while the young
men prepared torches. These were simply long pieces
of dry bamboo, about three inches thick, cracked or
crushed by means of a heavy stone. The bamboo
thus treated mak'es a very acceptable and dependable
torch, howbeit a flaring one. By rubbing a pointed
piece of hard stick upon a length of soft timber a
fire was quickly made, at which a few of the torches

The Strange Adventures

were lighted. The rest of the b'amboo was carried
by boys, to be used as required. Then the party be-
gan the toil of carrying their heavy burden along
the difficult underground passage. With commend-
able patience and perseverance they pushed forward,
aided by the bamboo lights. The cave was exceed-
ingly low for a long distance, and slender stalactites;
hanging from the roof interfered with the bearers.
Likewise the floor was singularly rough, and huge
boulders lay in the midst of the gloomy corridor. At
the side, and sometimes across the track, bottomless
fissures yawned. Meanwhile the air became damp
and heavily laden with the curious odour of bats,
and other evil creatures that live in the dark. Des-
pite the obstacles in the way, we advanced slowly and
surely into the depths of the cavern. Torchbearers
proceeded in front of Raivotu. I myself, the great
whale's tooth, was carried next, in the hands of the
crier, to be buried with the dead hero. The retinue
followed as well as they could in the midst of flicker-
ing shadows.

As we advanced a dull roar could be heard from
the midst of the cave directly on in front. I was at
a loss to know what it was until at last the passage
opened into a majestic, dome-like cavern, so high
that the roof could scarcely be discerned by the light
of the flaring bamboos. In this mammoth under-
ground chamber a broken foaming torrent rushed pell-
mell downwards on one side, being finally lost in the

of a Whale's Tooth

bowels of the earth. A curious whirring noise, like
the sound of a thousand looms, persisted upon the
ear, caused by the presence of myriads of bats. Upon
the ground lay thick animal mould, which had been
deposited probably through ages.

A halt was made here in the dense darkness that
the warriors might hold a consultation. Weird indeed
was the spectacle as they came to a standstill. In
the gloom, which was almost to be felt, the torches
threw an uncertain glimmer upon savage men with
savage faces and dress, standing around an uncouth
burden. With an active fanciful mind, the whole
scene could easily be converted into the entrance hall
of a vast Fijian inferno.

On one side of this cavern there opened another
passage into a less spacious portion of the cave, where
the shadows seemed like a solid wall. That smaller
cavity was to be the resting-place of the chief for
ever. His body would there become one with the
mould of the floor, though his name might be re-
membered for a century by his descendants. There,
too, was to be my abode for more than fifty years.

One of the warriors boldly plunged a torch into
the thickest part of the gloom. So dark was it that
it was a matter for surprise when the light was not
immediately extinguished. Following closely upon
him, the party, brave in numbers, penetrated into the
furthermost recesses of the cave. There they spread

The Strange Adventures

the mats upon the floor, and, not irreverently, laid
their burden down.

The only ceremony observed when this had been
done was that of placing me upon the dead man's
breast. Then, taking the loose ends of the mats, the
barbarous sextons folded them one after another over
the chief. More torches were lit, and the company
departed, their broad feet splashing noisily in the
water lying here and there on the floor of the cave.
A few moments elapsed, and the warriors had dis-
appeared in the gloom, their voices echoing more and
more faintly as they receded in the distance. The
long dark night had set in, and I was alone with the
dead.

of a Whale's Tooth

89

CHAPTER VIII.
A DREAM.

[OW long I lay there I cannot tell, for all
account of time was lost. Even the faint
muffled dripping of water from the roof,
which might have served to mark the seconds, only
helped to deaden thought, and the consciousness of
earthly things. It must have been that not only
minutes and hours and days, but months and years,
passed away. It seemed, as I lay there, that a change
was gradually taking place, and the very recollec-
tion of former things had faded. A strange new
light began to shine into the cave, a soft harmonious
light, which lit up everything around, and shone from
neither candle nor torch. ' The very rocks grew
luminous. Raivotu stood beside me, divested of his
burial raiment, a Fijian still, but with the appearance
of one without the gross characteristics of the flesh.
He was trying evidently to recall the past, for
from time to time he pressed his hand upon his head.
Then he began to search for something, but without
avail, if one might judge from the disturbed expres-
sion 011 his face. At last he chanced to come upon
me as I lay in the mould of the floor. His perplexity
cleared, and, stooping with eagerness, he seized the
cord by which I was carried, and held it tightly.

90

The Strange Adventures

As he lifted me, I, too, appeared to myself to be
different from what I had been. The solidity on
which I had prided myself had departed, and I was
but the semblance of "the great whale's tooth."

This fact did not, however, impress Baivotu with
any sense of unreality. He seemed content, and
clung to me as if all his hope depended upon me.
Then, without any difficulty (for the whole cave was
light from the soft shining), he proceeded towards
the entrance.

On arrival there we made no delay; but immedi-
ately ascended the mountain spur to the right. The
incline was steep, and though he did not breathe
heavily, Raivotu began to weary rapidly as one out of
his element. Before he sought rest, however, he per-
severed until he reached the summit.

Immediately on the top of the spur, a wide path
led through the forest. It was quite evident that no
woodman's axe had cut this open way. nor was there
any other sign of human being. Yet the track was very
clearly marked. Raivotu breathed a sigh of relief,
and sat down. Near by were some cocoa-nuts, half-
formed, plucked just when they were sweetest to
drink. A stone knife lay beside these, and both knife
and fruit had for me that curious unreality which
distinguished everything I had yet witnessed.

Taking the little set-out feast as a matter of course,
the chief essayed to break open the tops of the cocoa-

of a Whale's Tooth

nuts just as when he was in the land of the living-
To judge by the look of pleasure which came into
his countenance, the cool juice suited and satisfied
some inward spiritual need. We then proceeded along
the way stretching out before us. This path was.
exceedingly pleasant and cool, for it was heavily
wooded on either side, but not so densely that the
breezes could not blow freely. At certain fixed dis-
tances cocoa-nuts were found as before, and Raivotu,
missed no opportunity of refreshing his strength and
courage.

The way seemed to be perfectly familiar to him,,
though he could never have travelled there previously.
For was it not the path of the spirits! But without
hesitation, as though by a sure instinct, he pursued
his journey, clasping me tightly as before.

Our route now led down a pretty glade, over-
hung by spirituelle trees, amongst which were en-
twined charming creepers, with dark green leaves,
stippled with crimson. Here and there graceful tree-
ferns showed their perfect forms. Through this glade
we made our way, until we had almost reached the
further side. Here we were suddenly met by a mes-
senger, who asked Raivotu if he were bound for the
land of spirits. The latter answered in the affirma-
tive. He was then informed by the man that the first
test was awaiting him at the top of the next slope.

Raivotu inquired excitedly of this strange per-
sonage what the test might be, and received the reply

The Strange Adventures

that directly in the pathway two heavy stones were
set horizontally and face to face; and all who went
that way must pass between the stones. The chief
next inquired the reason of the test, and was told
that it was instituted to determine whether the pil-
grim spirits were mean or generous on earth. To
which Raivotu nodded his head several times, for he
remembered the belief of his tribe that a mean man
cannot possibly pass between the stone grinders. All
beliefs come home in the long run, and so in the
case of Raivotu. It would be proven clearly now
whether he were sordid or not. He ventured another
question: "Do many mean people come this way?''
The caretaker smiled and said: "Not many Fijians.
Despite their numerous faults, they are usually gener-
ous and hospitable to their guests; but sometimes a
miserly soul is found out by the ordeal, and then it
is grimly amusing to see him endeavouring to clamber
between the spiritual crushers."

Desirous of advancing on his journey. Raivotu
said: "Let us go." And the guide led the way up
the slope. "There," said he. 'they are before you,"
showing them with a wave of the hand. It was even
as he had described, except that in addition, the stones
were slowly and heavily moving the one asrainst the
other. No likelihood appeared of any man entering
there. At first Raivotu hesitated, but at a sharp
word of command, he made as if to go on his way.
The spiritual mortar caught up the chief as if to

of a Whale's Tooth

crush all life out of him. albeit with no untoward re-
sult, for nothing of meanness was found in the bold
warrior. With an open heart he had vouchsafed his
gifts, for which virtue his people had forgiven him
many wrongs.

It was good to see the Fijian leader as he stepped
forward with renewed hope and vigour. The path-
way was as before, neither was there any need of
guide. Raivotu's spiritual instinct led him aright on
every occasion. Our journey now took us up to the
heights, where a wonderful view of a new country was
obtained. The finest panorama was certainly that
directly in front, but still far off. Through a fruit-
ful plain ran a broad silvery river, of which more
anon.

Continuing in our course, we were forced to climb
a very rocky ridge. The courage almost died away
from the traveller's heart. But fortunately, some
more cocoa-nuts were found near the top, on a ledge
of rock. I say fortunately, because awaiting him
above was a woman with a very sharp gaze, to meet
which calmly Raivotu needed all his self-possession.

"Whence comest thou?" said she.

"From the great cave at Soqeda," answered
Raivotu.

"Where goest thou?"

"To the land of spirits."

"Art thou brave?" the woman asked.

94 The Strange Adventures.

"Men said I was." This with becoming humility.
"Still thou must be tested," was the woman's
rejoinder.

"The second test Raivotu," she added, "is near
by.!'

"Will you be kind enough to enlighten me with
regard to this test?" Raivotu requested.

"Yes," said the woman, "it is the proof of the
brave. Come." The pilgrim mounted the last steep
rock. Upon the flat shelf four women stood holding'
A cloth by the four corners. "Thou art required to
place thyself within this cloth, and thou wilt then be
tossed high in the air. If the winds above blow thee
far from here, thou wilt have been declared thereby
•a base coward. Of a surety thou wilt not be allowed
to pass to the land of spirits."

The prospect was one to try the stoutest in heart.
Driven as it were by some irresistible power, the chief
sat within the cloth. Moving together, the women
skilfully tossed us until we felt a strong wind bloxv
upon us from the right side. The strength of it was suffi-
cient to bear a craven to the land of nothingness.
But Raivotu descended as directly as he had arisen,
l)eing caught easily again in the cloth held by the
four spiritual inquisitors.

The chief stepped out on the further side with
the air of a man who had been attested a brave man,
as well as a generous one. Confidently now we moved

of a Whale's Tooth

rapidly forward. According to the beliefs of his
tribe, there awaited him but a single ordeal. Past
waterfalls shot with changing hues, and overhung with
dewy grass, across mountain torrents that leaped high
in wildest glee, beside gloomy clumps of quaint ban-
yan, and through reedy flats, lay our path. A hill
arose in front, and we had but gone down the slope
of it, when at a point the river appeared. At this
very look-out a man stood waiting.

"The third test is at hand," said he.

My possessor said : ' ( Speak quickly, for is not that
the river, beyond which lies the land of spirits? What
more remains for me?"

"Thou hast spoken truly, Raivotu. That is the
wide river that waits to bear thee to the spirit-land
of thy fathers. My ordeal for thee is soon over, for
it is but a question. Art thou married or single?"

As I look back to that time the question as a
test of a man's good virtues appeared to miss the
mark. Indeed, all the trials through which the Fijians
had to pass had no trace of the best ideas. Their
"beliefs were nothing but the image of their way of
thinking and acting while in the land of the living.
Animal courage, generosity, marriage — these were the
chief things which won their praise. Many Fijians
added cruelty to the list, and few of them failed to
live cruel lives.

To return to my story, the solitary one, as I have
shown, had asked Raivotu if he were married or

The Strange Adventures

single. Unhesitatingly the chief answered: "Mar-
ried. Plad I been chief of Ban, my three wives would
now be with me as witnesses to the truth of what I
say; for the women of Bau prefer to follow their
departed husbands rather than to live."

The man standing before us immediately vanished,
as if into thin air. As there was now no obstacle
in our way to the ford, we descended speedily.

Our path became smoother and the country more
level. Eaivotu's excitement grew with every step.
For this was the hope of all his efforts, that, having
passed the ordeals, he should be allowed to make a
friend of the deity of the ford and of the tree that
stood by. and so pass to the land of spirits. Having
been reared in an atmosphere of cruelty, no thought
of the wickedness of his many evil acts entered his
mind. He was a brave man, a generous man, and a
married man. More could not be demanded of him.
Again, he had great faith in the magical virtue of
myself, as I was in his eyes a charm of the first order.
He reasoned thus with respect to my value: If ank-
lets and clubs might be acceptable gifts to the god
of the ford, how much more the priceless ivory which
he held in his hand!

At last our journey came to an end. The scenery
was indescribably beautiful as we approached the
crossing. Many-tinted greens rested the eye of the
traveller, and a rich medley of dense forests, velvety
grasses, distant hills, and adjacent rivers, satisfied

of a Whale's Tooth

the most refined desires. Beside the ford stood a tree
of mammoth proportions. Its top at times appeared
to reach to the very clouds. Hanging in its branches
were countless gifts that had been flung by former
pilgrims : clubs, valuable bracelets, and shells, such as
a Fijian himself would prize in life. Not a single
whale's tooth was to be seen. Baivotu was the first
to bring one to please the deity. It was therefore an
hour of triumph to him, and his breath came thickly
on account of his joyous feeling of hope. He was
just about to cast me on to the tree, and was already
muttering the words of dedication, when a man ap-
peared near by, saying:

"Hold! What wouldst thou do here?"

'I have come a long journey to cross the ford,"
replied the chief. "I am weary of my pilgrimage,
and now I wish to appease the god, so that I may
pass over and rest."

The other was visibly disturbed, as he said :

"Hast thou not heard?"

"What do you mean?" asked Raivotu, appre-
hensively.

"I mean," said the man, "that these old beliefs
are to pass away and give place to those that are true
and which remain for ever."

"What matters that to me?" queried the warrior.
"My fathers rested in these old teachings, and I
throw in my lot with them. I know no better way."

The Strange Adventures

Then said the man: "I am afraid they will help
thee no more. Even now I feel the approach of the
Mighty One. I must needs go. But remember, what
comes is best for thee. Accept it, and shou shalt live.
I represented the days of darkness, but He that is
the Light draws near. See!" he cried, and pointed
to the tree. It was gradually fading, with its gifts,
into a vaporous exhalation. And so standing, and
pointing, the man himself disappeared.

A groan broke from the chief, as he cried:

"Why should I die twice?"

"Nor shalt thou die again if thou wilt listen to
me," said a voice of wondrous power.

Raivotu looked up and said: "Who, sir, are
you?" He who had never said "sir" to mortal man
had it wrested from him by the majesty of Him who
stood near.

"I am the Truth," was the dignified answer.

Slowly the proud head of Eaivotu sank upon his
breast ; his knees trembled, and he fell a broken mortal
upon the ground. The scenes of his life swept before
him, with its falsity, its ignorance, its superstition.
Misery and wretchedness so seized upon him as he
lay, that he cried out:

"I am dying. It is the second death."

The Vision spoke again:

"I am the Life.'"

The despair of the warrior was at once arrested,

of a Whale's Tooth

and its terrible ravages ceased. But still Raivotu
bore the look of one who had gone for ever astray.

"What shall I do? Where shall I go? Alas!
Alas!" Agonised cries broke from him again.

"I am the Way," said the Vision.

Strong emotion shook the chief as he said:

"I have not heard of you at any time."

"I know it," said the Master.

"Why then, Sir, have you been so long time com-
ing, for I feel in my soul that I am in the presence
of the Truth?"

"The work began many years ago," replied the
Master, "and it has been delayed by the hardness of
man. My will was that the islands of the sea should
know me according to the prophecies. And even now
the message is coming to thy native land."

"I would I were alive again, having seen the
Truth. For then would I fight for it." Raivotu
uttered these words with great earnestness.

"That may not be," answered the Christ. "But
fear not; thou shalt not suffer more, if thou canst
pass the fourth test. But first let me ask of thee.
Whither goest thou now?" Raivotu pondered the
question, and said: "Where the Truth goes, I will
go."

"Then thou must first pass the test."

"What test? What ordeal shall I pass? I am
ready," cried the chieftain. "I have been through
three already, and surely may succeed again."

The Strange Adventures

Very quietly, yet incisively, the Master said r
' ' Lovest thou Me ? " The. man shook like an aspen. A
long silence ensued, until finally Raivotu, whose
name means vision, slowly lifted his eyes to that benign
face, and said: "Thou knowest the love of my spirit
is Thine."

The Vision stretched out His hand, and taking
Raivotu 's in his, they two vanished out of my sight.
I was left in total darkness — the darkness of the cave.

101

CHAPTER IX.
THE NEW RELIGION.

ROM my earliest days, I have had a rule of
living to suit my peculiar temperament.
Some may count me very strange when I
express the opinion that our rule of life should cor-
respond to the kind and quality of our nature. Yet
surely is my judgment right in this matter, not only
with regard to myself, but also to the heathen. It
is worse than useless to impose a very high kind of
goodness upon an inferior nature. The Master,
whom the Fijians came to worship, was most wise
when He said to His followers: "I have many things
to tell you, but ye cannot bear them now." For
myself, I am not vain enough to think that my list
of virtues will be accepted by your philosophical pro-
fessors, or by your purist pharisees. There are but
three main principles which seem to fit my constitu-
tion: First, Solidity, by which I mean, every part
of me is permanently filled with atoms; my nature
abhors an empty space. Second, there comes Dura-
bility, which arises out of my Solidity; it is no idle
boast that I could live a century and not feel it; I
might indeed become a little yellow, but many other
marks of old age I escape altogether. Durability

102

The Strange Adventures

makes it easy for me to bear buffets and changes with
a certain quiet, calm demeanour which a philosopher
might envy. As a consequence, it amuses me to see
how men are the most excitable of all creation.
Thirdly, there is Genuineness, which finds its source
in the fact that every atom in me is ivory. If there
had been any other thing mixed in with the ivory I
should have had less faith in myself.

As I think carefully of my own code, I am vain
enough to believe that it is not a bad one after all,
even for boys and girls. The teaching I offer you for
everyday life is: Be solid, be enduring, be genuine.
Many a wise man has fared worse in practice.

But the teaching which I so boldly offer you is
the limit of my efforts in that direction. Of religion
I know nothing. My first introduction to it was in
the dream which 1 had just experienced. It was,
therefore, with a strange glow, as when something
altogether new enters one's life, that I recollected
my weird vision.

But if I know nothing of religion, I am as little
acquainted with theology. It would therefore be im-
possible for me to say. with any certainty, whether
such an experience as befell Raivotu could be the lot
of any man after death. Despite my ignorance of
these things, however, my interest was greatly aroused
by my dream. Nor was it unnatural that I should
wish to discover how much of truth was in it, and

of a Whale's Tooth

whether the amount of truth would affect my future
experiences.

Proceeding with my story, the vision left me in
the darkness of the cave. But vast changes had come
in the years that had passed by. Instead of being
wrapped in mats, I rested on a heap of mould. The
dripping of the water, the roaring of the underground
torrent, and the whirring of the bats' wings seemed
strangely familiar. To my confused senses it ap-
peared but a few moments since the savages had left
me with Raivotu. Yet the evidences of the lapse of
time were so plain that they were not to be gain-
said. Those who had possessed me before the time
of my burial must now be long dead. Mike Hooley,
Dan Sawyer, Jane, Jack the Cornishman, must now
have passed to their account. The good ship in which
I travelled would perhaps be a hulk or a wreck on
some coral atoll. Other whales played in Antarctica.
So ran my legitimate musings; for over half a cen-
tury had elapsed since I was buried in the cave with
Raivotu.

In the midst of my meditation the murmur of
men's voices suddenly broke in upon the everlasting
rush of the torrent and the whirring of the bats'
wings. It might have been that Raivotu 's party had
returned to see that they had done their work well
But fifty years had elapsed, and the majority of
those would now be in the spirit-land. Yet the
speakers were evidently Fijians, and they stood in

104 The Strange Adventures

the large cave at the entrance of the smaller one
where I lay.

The words uttered by them I heard distinctly
through the passage.

"This is the place, so the old men tell us. Ever
since our childhood we have heard the story, and
no one has ever had the courage to enter the dense
darkness beyond."

"Well, let us break the custom." answered the
other, "let us go into the cave and see what i?
there."

"Never," said the first; "we should die within
three months if we did so — that is. if we did not
fall dead in the cave itself. It is taboo."

"Are you afraid, Daurere?" queried^ his com-
panion.

"Yes, Joni, my hand even now trembles, and the
perspiration pours from me, while my skin creeps."

"But why fear the ancient spirits, Daurere?
They can do no harm."

"Joni," said Daurere, "I know what is in your
mind. You have been baptised into the new reli-
gion, and the first thing you do is to belittle the
ancient beliefs."

"You have spoken truly, Daurere, and that is
what makes me brave to enter into the darkness of
the cavern. Come with me."

"No, Joni." This most emphatically. "I dare
not. You have a new magic in you, of which I am

Wedding Pair. }Yliich w /fee

of a Whale's Tooth

ignorant. If I enter I shall surely die. If you go,
you go alone."

"Then will I go alone, for I have an object in
view. I shall not die, but live. Give me the lan-
tern, and I will also take my torch. If the torch
gives out, I can depend on the lantern. You keep
your own torch burning brightly, so that it will
guide me on my return."

The voices ceased, and footsteps sounded splash-
ing in the water, as Joni advanced towards me. The
gloom of the innermost cave was lit up by the flare
of the torch and the steady gleam of the lantern.
Joni is seeking everywhere for something which
must be the cause of his visit. He overturns stones,
kicks aside the mould, and scours the place
thoroughly for the object of his search. As he
swung the lantern around the light fell upon his
figure in such a way that I could see him clearly.
He was dressed in a white piece of English cloth,
instead of the barbarous grass girdle of the early
Fijians. His countenance had in it a quiet, steady
purpose, utterly different from the ferocious expres-
sion of such a man as Ratokaitua. His glance fell
upon me at that moment, as he kicked away the
•earth. The cord which had been tied through the
eyelets made in me by Dakuloa had long since de-
cayed, but Joni very quickly grasped me. and turned,
to go with a look of triumph in his eye. I will not say
that he was not frightened at his daring act. As he

106

The Strange Adventures

stood in the very sanctum of the dead it was not
wonderful that the old stories became very vivid.
His new faith felt the strain, but stood it well; he
stiffened himself to the task, and deliberately car-
ried me along the passage to where his companion
stood trembling with fear.

"I have been to the end of the passage," he
informed Daurere, "and I have found what I de-
sired. "See," said he, as he held me up to the
light. The mould had fallen away from me, and
when the other saw the treasure that had been re-
covered, he clicked his tongue in admiration for
several moments.

"Where did you find it?" asked he.

"On the floor in the earth," said Joni. "The
old stories are true to that extent. Someone was
buried there, and this was buried with him, as the
legend says."

They two then slowly departed in silence, think-
ing over the things that had happened.

Once more I was in the daylight, but what
changes had taken place! Where plantations had
thickly grown together, the forest stood. The very
path we had used before had been long forgotten.
Raivotu's own village site was lost in the impene-
trable scrub. The names of the new villages which
had sprung up were not those of the old. Though
still plentiful, the people were less numerous than

of a Whale's Tooth 107

formerly. The facts of those days had become the
legends of these.

For. some time the two men talked of the trans-
formation that had taken place in many phases of
their village life, and then passed on to discuss the
new religion which they had mentioned in the cave.

I could see that Joni was trying to persuade his
companion to accept it, and be baptised with a
new name^ Evidently Joni's previous bravery and
present arguments affected Daurere considerably,,
and his soul burned within him, as he said: "It is
my desire, Joni, to follow your religion. I have
seen to-day what it can do, and how it can triumph1
over the ancient fear of our dead chiefs. Yes, I
have it," he said with enthusiasm; "I shall be bap-
tised, and with a new name. My old one means
'Always fearing.' My new name shall be Daunui-
nui — 'Always hoping.' '

At that moment Joni and Daurere crossed a
stream, and on the farther side they rested in the
shade of a large ivi tree. Daurere broke the silence
between them by saying: "I have a question to
ask you. Do not be angry with me."

"Say on," replied his companion.

"Well, then, why did you want the whale's tooth
so earnestly?"

After a short pause Joni said to Daurere :

"Since you are decided to become a Christian, I
will tell you, for you will thereby partly understand

The Strange Adventures

me. If you were still a heathen, you would laugh
at my desires, and what I am now decided to do,
because it is against the custom of our people."

Joni paused to gather his thoughts together, and
then began: "You have heard of Mie manner in
which the new religion came from Lau to Viwa,
and then spread to Ban and other parts. I was
one of the first to accept the new teaching, and
from that moment I believed in Christ the Saviour.
I had two ambitions. One was to be a teacher of
the Lotu (religion), and the other was to be mar-
ried to a Christian woman, after the /Christian
ordinance.

"My first desire was easy to realise, as it hap-
pened, for the missionary wanted me to go to him
at Viwa. and prepare myself for the work. I have
been there now two years, so that I shall soon be
equipped sufficiently to be sent out in charge of a
town. But how to get a Christian girl as my wife
was my difficulty. God guided me in this also. It
happened in this way : There had ;been very heavy
rains in Colo, and the upper reaches of the Rewa
River were quickly flooded. No thought of a fresh
in the river entered the minds of those who lived
lower down. The waters came suddenly, sweeping
along near my native town, while the men were all
away at their gardens.

"There were two fine canoes but lately cut out.
and they were tied to stakes beside the landing-

of a Whale's Tooth

place. One of these was caught by the flood and
was in danger of being lost. A young woman named
Vula was preparing yams for the morning meal by
the river-bank. It was she who first saw the canoe
disappearing swiftly around the bend of the stream.
She threw down the shell with which she was peel-
ing the yams, and ran as fast as she could to where
the other canoe anchored. Leaping in, she pulled
up the stake which constituted the anchor, and
using it as a driving-pole, went after the drifting
craft.

"Very skilfully she managed to overtake it, and
with a piece of cocoa-nut cord tied it to the canoe
in which she herself sat. Having accomplished this
with .some risk, she then set herself courageously to
pole the two vessels against the flood.

"The waters were flowing so swiftly that Vula
could make no headway against them, and gradu-
ally her strength began to fail owing to her great
exertions. At last she found that she was being.
carried with increasing swiftness to the rapids, just
below the further outskirts of the town. Making a
final effort, she thought she might save the canoes
by guiding them into the swirling eddy on the other
side. But her decision came too late; and the tor-
rent, becoming faster and more disturbed on ac-
count of the nearness of the rapids, caught the two
canoes and capsized them.

The Strange Adventures

"Vula, seeing she could do nothing, plunged into
the stream to save herself. She was a good swimmer,
but was partially stunned by a collision with a piece
of drifting timber. The most she could do after
the accident was to keep herself afloat, and scream
for help.

"Now comes my part in the story. I was work-
ing in my garden when I heard the scream. I ran
at once to the river-bank, where I saw the woman
struggling in the flood. Without hesitation I leaped
in, and being a strong swimmer was able to bring
the woman to land.

"Quite fatigued, she lay there; but she was not
so exhausted that she could not speak. She said
as she rested upon the grass: 'I give my thanks to
you. Your religion has not made you less brave
than you used to be.'

"After a time she was able to walk to the vil-
lage, which she did alone. It is bad manners for a
man to walk with a woman in the woods, and is.
against the custom of our people, as you are aware.

"That night I knew whom I should marry, and
I asked my mother, who is a Christian like myself,
td speak to Vula about the religion of Jesus Christ.
It was not very long before she quietly turned from
the old superstitions of witchcraft and witch-doctor-
ing to the pure beliefs of Christianity.

"And now I am come to the question which you
have asked. I made a request to her father, a

of a Whale's Tooth

very savage heathen chief, that he should give me
his daughter in marriage. He refused angrily. I
did not press my case then, but afterwards, when
he was more kindly disposed towards me for saving
some of his pigs from drowning, I again asked him
for her. He gave his consent, on condition that I
should find for him the celebrated tooth which was
said to have been buried with the chief called Raivotu,
in the cave at Soqeda. The cunning old man thought
that I should never dare to do it. If I had not been
a Christian, I should certainly not have dared to
enter the place made sacred by the strange stories
we have known from childhood.

"And now, my friend, let us go. I have the
tooth, and I shall soon have Vula as my wife. You
will stand by me while I offer the charm in return
for the old chief's daughter."

The Strange Adventures

CHAPTER X.
A CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE.

|0 time was lost by Joni in the furthering-
of his plans. With his new-found ally,
he went to see the missionary at Viwa,

who baptised Daurere with the name of Daunuinui.

Subsequently the two friends made a journey to the

town where Vula lived, thus bringing the marriage

negotiations to a head.

A shade of annoyance passed over the face of
Vula's father when the two young men requested
to speak to him. He granted the privilege, how-
ever, and they entered the house for the purpose.

Daunuinui explained the object of their visit in
a formal manner, for the older man was, of course,
aware of their intentions. But when Joni followed
up his friend's words with a few earnest pleadings
that the marriage be brought to pass at once. Vula'*
father, whose name was Waidrodro, answered:

"Did I not tell you, Joni, that only on one
condition could I give my daughter to you, to wit.
that you should bring me the great whale's tooth
from the cave at Soqeda? Until that is forthcom-
ing, it is vain for you to press this matter."

of a Whale's Tooth

"Sir," said Joni. "I have the tooth for which
you asked recently," and he brought me to view.

The expression on Waidrodro's face was a curi-
ous one. He first showed the greatest vexation that
Joni had been successful, and for an instant it
appeared that his anger would blaze out. At that
moment I exerted all the powers vested in me, for I
was conscious of being an agent for good. Slowly
but surely his anger gave way to my charms, and
delight filled his breast instead.

"It is well," he ejaculated, "you are a brave
man. Give me the tooth." A cunning look had
crept into his eye. But as he stretched forth his
hand to take me, Joni resolutely covered me up
again, while he said to the perfidious old man :

"No, sir. On the day of the wedding it shall
be presented by me in the usual manner. Then
when the gifts are divided, you will receive it for
your share."

Chagrin now showed itself in the countenance of
Waidrodro, which clearly proved that he had in-
tended to outwit Joni, and acquire the tooth by
fraud. Being defeated in his attempt, he was forced
to grant Joni's request.

Having gone so far, the anticipation of possess-
ing the charm completely filled his mind, expelling
his former evil passions. He even unbent so far
as to speak highly of Joni, of his bravery in sav-

The Strange Adventures

ing his pigs and daughter, the pigs apparently being
more important than the latter. Nor did he stint
his admiration when he heard how daringly Joni
had entered the haunted cave in search of the tooth.

What was of more importance to Joni, the chief
made arrangements for an interview between the
former and Vula, to the end that a proposal might
be made formally to her.

A house was placed at their disposal. Vula
and a few of her female friends proceeded to it
and waited for the deputation. Proposals of mar-
riage are not usually made in Fiji, except in the
presence of others. Joni was accompanied to the
house, therefore, by his friend. The women sat in
silence. Then Daunuinui, Joni's faithful ally, broke
the awkward pause, and said:

"We are in your presence, and there is s&ine-
thing in our minds which we want to make clear.
My friend here has made known his desire to the
great chief that he might have his daughter as his
wife, and the great chief has approved. Now we
come to you to know if it is your mind that it
should be so. Joni is a Christian, and desires that
he may have a wife who wishes to marry him, and
not one who is unwilling."

Joni supplemented the words of his friend, and
told how that from the day he saw her on the river-
bank he thought of her as his wife, and he was ready
now to take her, if Vula would consent.

115

When Joni ceased, there were a buzz of excite-
ment from all the women present. One or two of
them said to Vula:

"Speak! Speak! Tell him what is in your
mind."

It is the mark of the female sex, even in savage
lands, not to be won too easily. Vula made a show
of reluctance, and hung her head. At that, the
others began to persuade her with much noisy
appeal.

"Speak! Speak! Vula. Tell him what is in
your mind. Speak quickly."

But it was only when modesty's claim had been
satisfied that she raised her head a little and
whispered shamefacedly :

"I want him."

"Vinaka! Vinaka!" Everyone seemed heartily
glad that the affair was settled so easily.

There was nothing more now to be done or said.
It would have been bad form if Joni had shown
undue delight in words. A close observer, however,
might have noticed the flush of victory in the whites
of his honest brown eyes.

The two men retired in a dignified way, to make
arrangements for the wedding. A message was sent
to the missionary, requesting that he should be pre-
sent at the function, and conduct a Christian service:
He, of course, was exceedingly glad to do so, since
a Christian marriage was an excellent example for

The Strange Adventures

the heathen around; moreover, this particular event,
being the first in that town and district, marked
an epoch in the history of the people.

Without waste of time on unnecessary prelimin-
aries, the day was finally fixed. Intense interest
prevailed, and as the country was then at peace,
visitors flocked from the adjacent villages to wit-
ness the sacred ceremony. The pioneer missionary
himself was a centre of attraction, and many won-
dered at the chiefly air of him who had dared to
risk his life again and again for the sake of the
people amongst whom he worked. This chiefly
dignity they attributed to spirit-power or to a kind
of magic ; they did not understand that it arose from
the consecrated soul of the man.

The marriage arrangements proceeded apace. A
house was set apart for Joni and his young men.
while another was allotted to the bride and her
parly. A third house was specially built, in which
the ceremony might take place.

Although the marriage was to be Christian, other
customs handed down from olden times were also
to be observed, for the missionaries did not believe
in changing the ancient instituFions so long as their
observance did not interfere with the chief tenets
of Christianity.

The scene of the marriage festivities was the
village green, and was therefore cleared of the rank

of a Whale's Tooth u7

grass which so quickly grew upon it, and the large
house belonging to the chief at the end of the open
area was given to the visitors.

This building was soon filled with interested
spectators, dressed in holiday attire, and oiled until
they shone with the extract of the cocoa-nut.

In the house of the bridegroom great doings were
going forward, especial attention being given by the
occupants to the combing of their long hair with
combs, the teeth of which were six inches in length.
Their muscular bodies were anointed until they ap-
peared like polished bronze. The final touch was
given to the bridegroom himself, when a long piece*
of native cloth, printed with curious patterns, was
wrapped around his waist many times, until he be-
came so large that he could scarcely pass through
the door.

A merry scene presented itself likewise in the»
bride's house, for the young women were decorat-
ing their hair with flowers and feathers. They,
ton, appeared like shining bronze statues, but of a
less savage type than the men. The bride gradually
evolved until she might well be mistaken for a gay
butterfly ; a finely-woven mat reached almost to her
ankles, and above that, a huge bulk of painted native
cloth was twisted around her waist in the same
manner as the waist-cloth of the groom. Every-
body had their best armlets, and red coral orna-

The Strange Adventures

ments, and as much other gaudy finery as they
could put on without eclipsing the bride.

When the final arrangements were completed the
interested parties made their way, laughing and
chattering, to the wedding-house. The young women
of high rank were distinguished by the feathers in
their hair, whilst the young chiefs carried, as a mark
of dignity, their mosquito swishers. In such array
did they appear before the missionary. It is true
that there was some shuffling and mistakes, and much
excited speech, before the bride and bridegroom took
their proper stations, for everybody claimed the per-
sonal right to correct somebody else, until peace
was finally restored by the command of the chief.

The solemn and musical words of the Fijian
marriage ceremony were then read by the missionary,
every neck being craned, meanwhile, to the utmost
extent, and every eye being fastened on the speaker.

"Wilt thou have this woman to be thy lawful
wedded wife?" said the servant of God.

Joni answered readily, for he had duly prepared
beforehand :

"That is my mind."

Turning to the woman, the missionary asked:

Wilt thou have this man to be thy lawful
wedded husband?"

Vula answered:

"That is my mind."

of a Whale's Tooth

The two then clasped hands, no ring being used,
and were pronounced man and wife in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
The sacred words fell on wondering ears, and several
in that throng felt drawn by the very dignity of
the ceremony, and the solemnity of the occasion, to
think a little more favourably of the new religion.

The Benediction was pronounced while all stood,
although it was so strange to the majority that
only a few closed their eyes. The audience main-
tained a grave silence until they got outside, then
their pent-up feelings found vent in a great chat-
tering and merriment. It was a red-letter day for
them, and some of them would probably count their
time from it, so that other events would be remem-
bered by their proximity to the marriage of Joni.

Next began the first great ceremony according to
native fashion. The bride and her people sat on
one side of the village green, while the bridegroom
and his escort sat on the other side. Mutual gifts
of food were made; but the most important feature
was the presentation of a long piece of painted native
cloth, which was done in the following manner: —

When all had been seated, Joni arose, holding
myself in his hands, and advanced towards the bride.
There followed him a retinue of young men, who
carried a long piece of painted native cloth a hun-
dred fathoms long, and more than a fathom broad.

The Strange Adventures

The time it took in the making would be about six
months, with all the women in a large village em-
ployed upon it during their leisure hours. This
huge piece of tapa, as it is called, was piled up loosely
before the bride, and upon the top of it I was duly
laid. Whereupon the young women arose and
folded the native cloth neatly, and laid it by for dis-
tribution. The division was made by cutting it into
equal shares for equals, and into slightly bigger por-
tions for chiefly members . of the clan.

A similar gift was offered by Joni's newly-made
wife, together with her young companions, in ex-
actly the same manner. For myself, it presented a
pleasing spectacle to see Vula gracefully leading
her maidens forward to the place where her hus-
band sat, in great satisfaction and pride. The
colours of their various adornments contrasted well
with the rich green of the grass, and made a novel
picture.

The interesting ceremon}r being now at an end,
the presents were allotted according to the time-
honoured method mentioned before. I was appor-
tioned to Waidrodro as his share, together with a
piece of the tapa. As he fingered me I was con-
scious that he was full of awe concerning me, and
it was not long before I fathomed the reason. I
was laid aside that day, however, in Waidrodro 's
large house, where feasting was the chief occupa-
tion, and talking the principal accompaniment. The

121

guests sat in a semi-circle, with Waidrodro at the
head of it, in that part of the house which was
farthest from the entrance. Food, smoking hot, was
placed in the centre on stiffly-woven mats, which
were shifted to whatever place was most convenient
for the guests. Fijiaus are only of late beginning to
use spoons or forks while at their meals, the sub-
stitute for these utensils, except in one dread
instance, being their fingers. Cups were always a
necessary adjunct, and these were found ready to
hand in the halved cocoa-nut. Needless to say. this
drinking vessel was unbreakable.

From the conversation. I could gather what
further felicities were going forward. Vula and her
company were even then busy preparing" food for
another feast, which might be called the wedding
breakfast. Yams and taro. fish and pork, stewed
dishes of varied cuisine, and several kinds of native
pudding, made from the breadfruit and taro, con-
stituted the fare.

This feast was to be held in a new house built
specially for the bridal pair, and could not be par-
taken of, if either had been married before. When
everything was ready, a message was to be sent to
Joni and his party to come as guests. On their
arrival the bride, with her friends, were to serve the
young men, who doubtless would do full justice to
the repast. To be waited on by such fair attendants
would be sufficient piquant sauce to the food for less

122

The Strange Adventures

ardent natures. At the conclusion of the meal, pre-
sents were to be offered by the young women, of
mats, fans, and other articles of manufacture, to the
young men, who then would depart, well pleased
with their gifts.

"Yes," said one, "after that is done, Joni's com-
pany intend to give a return bridal feast in another
house, whither the new wife is to go accompanied by
her girls to receive gifts in like manner. The men
will act as hosts to the bride's party, and many gifts
will be presented by them in return for those they
had accepted at the hands of the young women."'
Much more to the same effect did I hear from the
merry gossipers in the chief's house.

The missionary also came in for his share of
discussion ; his happy face, full of a power unearthly,
2s befitting a man who carried his life in his hands,
was remarked by all. Fiji owes much to the brave
men who, standing alone in those fierce days, im-
pressed the savages with the sense of higher things.

Little more remains to be told with regard to
Joni and his wife. Two weeks after they departed
for their future home in canoes, their friends run-
ning along the pathway to bid them farewell. As
the canoes out-distanced the villagers, these latter
stood and waved pieces of native cloth until the
wedding party could be seen no more. The friends
of Joni and Vula were being left swiftly behind, but

of a Whale's Tooth

these two did not waver for that. Through many
years 'they lived and laboured faithfully, and gave
their utmost energy to a task that was often dan-
gerous in the extreme. They grew old in the work,
were true to one another, and died blameless in
character and of a good report, Joni himself having
risen to be a native minister.

124 The Strange Adventures

CHAPTER XL
EARLY CHRISTIAN BRAVERY.

I N this chapter some of the names are hard,
but I cannot make them easier, because
they are the names of real men. Xow
let me tell a story which has never yet been
recorded.

"When the reaction from the marriage festivities
had come, it was clear that Waidrodro began to view
me, his new possession, in a different light. At first
he was full of pleasure, but gradually he began to
think of the dead chief with whom I had been buried.
Waidrodro was a man, fierce in his treatment of
inferiors, but cringing and fearful in the face of
beings whose power he had no means of measuring.
The dead Baivotu, for instance, was in no way
superior to himself when living, but death had en-
tered in as a new factor not to be despised. Rai-
votu had travelled away to the region of spirits, and
might even now be wielding evil powers against,
him. The superstition, once admitted to his mind,
loomed darker and darker, until it became a posi-
tive apprehension, or warning of approaching harm.
Daily he would come and handle me, turning me
over and over, with a growing dread in his eye. It

125

was a matter of fact now, that I had for him a
potency of evil that must not be trifled with.

He did not choose, however, to give me up at
once, because, partly, he had a strong admiration
for me, and partly, he did not care to confess to
having made a bad bargain.

At last his fears overcame him, and he resolved
that he would no longer retain me. But how to
dispose of me was the difficulty. For no small chief
would receive me for the same reason which caused
my owner to reject me. They, too, dreaded the
spirit of the departed. Numerous stories arose in
Waidrodro's memory of those who had fallen seri-
ously ill because they had done some wrong or insult
to the ghosts of the dead.

At last he thought of Cakobau, the great chief
at Bau, who was so high in rank and authority that
he need fear no departed spirit. Moreover, he was
a Christian, and was therefore safe from evil powers
that have their home in the land unseen. He would
send me to Cakobau as a present, and as a token
of respect. He would thus gain Cakobau 's help,
and the treaty might prove of value at some future
time.

The solution of the problem seemed so easy that
he immediately acted upon it. I was sent by a
special messenger to the Great Chief, whose name
had been reported throughout the world.

126 The Strange Adventures

The virtue of Cakobau's new religion had made
him a changed man. From being one of the most
ferocious and bloodthirsty of men, he had become calm
and kindly, without losing one whit of his natural
strength of will.

I was not presented immediately on the arrival
of the messenger. He must eat first, and then he
might enter the presence of the Great Chief. When
he was thoroughly refreshed he was admitted into
the long and lofty house in which the Chief of
Bau usually resided, and was allowed to explain
the object of his visit. Cakobau smilingly received
me, saying, as he saw for the first time the "great
whale's tooth":

"Good! Good!"

That night he sent a return present to "Waidro-
dro, wijh this accompanying message:

"I thank you for your gift, and I will be your
ally in any time of difficulty. I put my trust in
you also if at any appearance of trouble I want you
to help me."

So spoke the old diplomat, and I became the pro-
perty of the Great Chief.

Up to this time the interior of Fiji (Colo, as it
was called) had not been Christianised, and it was
Cakobau's great ambition that the Gospel should be
carried there as well. He was earnestly supported
in his desires by the Rev. Mr. Langham, who was

of a Whale's Tooth 127

at that moment living on Bau, as the representative
of the Methodist Missionary Society. Nor was there
any other venture dearer to his heart than that of
penetrating to those tribes who still lived in cruelty
and vice. Arrangements were then being made for
an expedition which afterwards became famous for
many reasons, the story of which it is my privilege
to tell.

It was not long before the cession of Fiji to
England, when a brave little party sailed from Bau
down the coast in a Fijian canoe. Mr. Langham, at
that time a slight young man, Samuela Seru, who
was employed in Mr. Langham 's house, and Ratu
Aisea Volavola, a baptised Christian, who was cap-
tain of Cakobau's large double canoe Kinikinilau,
were the chief members of the party. These, with
a crew, coasted down to the district of Ra until they
arrived at the small section of Nalawa, where they
made known to the people the reason and aim of
their journey. They also informed the villagers that
they had brought from Cakobau a large whale 's tooth
(myself) for the purpose of enlisting the favour of
the tribes inland, or at least of adding some force
and prestige to the message of the Gospel.

After much earnest debate upon the part of the
inhabitants of Nalawa, two of their chiefs, Soqo-
naivi and Naqari, inspired by the bravery of the
little band, offered to accompany them and show
them the pathway.

The Strange Adventures

Following the route through Nalawa, it is not
very far to the district where lived the wild moun-
taineers. One long day's journey would suffice to
bring the missionaries into touch with the bar-
barians at, the head of the Wainmiala River. The
way led upwards for a long distance until it.
reached the watershed of the Rewa. The mission
party had at this point a glorious prospect of the
interior of Fiji. Far below them stretched a wide
river basin, in which the main stream could be
traced as it wound itself amongst the mountain spurs.
Clouds covered the surrounding high points, throw-
ing long shadows across the landscape, and thus
adding new beauties to the panorama. Here and
there appeared bluffs of rock, which gave character
to the confusion of tropical vegetation.

At the head of this valley lay Nakorosule. on the
Wainimala River.

Not without trepidation did the little forlorn
hope enter the village, but to their joy, they were
received hospitably by the chief.

Accommodation was found, and a house given, in
which they might pass the night. The foundation
of the house is still preserved, and is pointed out
as the spot where the Rev. Mr. Langham slept wnen
he brought religion to the inland peoples. Despite
the stimulus of adventure, and possible danger, the
men slept well, being wearied out by their long
tramp.

A Cutter at Anchor.

Stinson Photo.

of a Whale's Tooth

In the morning, audience was granted by the
war chief (Vunivalu) of Nakorosule, and Mr.
Langham appealed to him to put aside his old evil
practices and to accept the religion of Jesus Christ.
"Moreover," said Mr. Langham, "I have a whale's
tooth from Cakobau the King, which he presents to
you, with the request that you will listen favour-
ably to the story of the Gospel."

Without a doubt the message was a powerful one,
and especially as it was coupled with the support
and the approval of Cakobau, not to mention the
effect which my own appearance had upon the Vuni-
valu of Nakorosule. But on this occasion my magic
powers and the influence of the Great Chief's name
could avail nothing with the head man of this moun-
tain town.

After hearing what Mr. Langham had to say,
the war chief sat still for a long space, Mr. Lang-
ham also keeping silence in obedience to Fijian
etiquette. Finally he answered on this wise:

"If I embrace the religion which you bring, my
relatives will be angry with me. My advice is: Go
to the Taukei ni Waluvu at Navaulele. He is my
chiefly uncle. If he desires the Lotu (religion), I
will accept it also."

There was nothing more to be done save to do
as the heathen chief had said. Mr. Langham there-
upon set forth on his journey to interview the Tau-

The Strange Adventures

kei ni Waluvu, which in Fijian is the picturesque
phrase for the "Native of the Flood." He lived
a few miles down the river at Navaulele, opposite to
the town now called Xairukuruku.

When they arrived there they found the chiefs
and people engaged in a curious custom. It had
been an ancient practice amongst these tribes to
build a "Bure Kalou, " or spirit house (which was
usually a very high-thatched hut), before going to
battle. It was to be dedicated by the chiefs and
priests, the dedicatory offerings being gifts of
native grog and food, which were supposed to insure
success in battle.

At the moment of Mr. Langham's entrance to
the town one of these spirit-houses was almost com-
pleted, and the people were thatching it. Their war-
like intentions were clear, and a more unsuitable time
could scarcely have been chosen. The missionary
party, however, were compelled to make the best of
any chance that came, and approached the people,
offering presents, according to native manners, to
one of the oldest of the chiefs.

Then said Soqonaivi, one of Mr. Langham's
party :

"What are you doing? We have brought the
missionary. Put this work on one side and let us
go into the spirit-house. We at Nalawa have ac-
cepted the Lotu. You do likewise. You are the

of a Whale's Tooth

chiefs of the land. If you do not 'lotu' the land will
be in trouble."

The speech, uttered in quick, sharp sentences,
sounded well in the ears of the "Native of the Flood."
Approving of the proposal, he led the way into the
house.

When everybody was seated the ceremony was
performed of presenting me. in a similar speech to
that made in the house of the war chief at Nako-
rosule. The "Native of the Flood" was not proof
against the high honours placed upon him by Cako-
bau, and after a long talk with his councillors,
agreed to receive the Gospel in a nominal way — an
act that was fraught with gravest calamity and
greatest blessing for his people.

It was strange, indeed, that such a momentous
discussion should have been made in a new "spirit-
house." When the savages began to build it, their
thought was only of the war, to which they had set
their hands. While they worked, their spears and
clubs lay beside them. Yet before the building was
properly finished the Evangel entered, and made it
the temple of the Most High.

The "Native of the Flood," acting at once,
gathered the people of his own together, and told
them of his decision. His word was, of course, prac-
tically supreme, and after hearing what he had to
say, they shouted their approval with loud voices
and allowed the Gospel into their midst.

The Strange Adventures

From Mr. Langham 's standpoint he had won a
great victory. For now that they had accepted the
Gospel, it was possible to preach to the mountaineers
and teach them. He was well aware that their be-
lief in the new religion would, for a time, be only
on the surface, until, in fact, the doctrines and truths
of Christianity had had good opportunity of affect-
ing the minds and characters of the barbarians. To
expect ripe and perfect fruit on these wild trees
immediately after their undergoing a new treatment,
would be foolish. The finest product could be hoped
for only after careful and tender nurturing. A.
century would be all too short.

At this juncture a party of prominent chiefs
from Viria arrived, bringing a gift of food, with the
object, of bringing the warfare to an end. A long
discussion ensued, in which Mr. Langham took part,
for the coming of these ambassadors seemed to aid
the work that was dearest to his heart. He then
returned to Ban with the Virian chiefs, sleeping at
their town, which was some distance down the river.
AVith him went as escort Drekenivere, who was a
son of the ''Native of the Flood."

Mr. Langham left behind him a savage people
who had nominally accepted Christianity, and who
were in the midst of old and savage foes. The time
was coming when they would be called upon to
suffer for their faith. They must be tried, and tried
bv fire and club.

of a Whale's Tooth

Trouble soon arose. A native of Gau. with the
curious name of Yamenatavi, was sent as a teacher
to Xakorosule, the town which Mr. Langham first
entered. One day when he was preaching he saw
the warriors heaping up tire-wood, and, taking it as
a grim hint, fled to Navaulele, on the opposite side
of the river. This was one only of many signs that the
anger of the heathen was about to blaze forth..
Everybody was full 'of fear of what was surely ap-
proaching. All the Christians could do was to wait.

Several villages belonging to the district of
Matailobau (the district that recognised the influence
of the "Native of the Flood") had not yet become
Christian, and the inhabitants of them had gone to
Vugalei to help the natives there against Cakobau,
who was besieging the place. The invincible
Bauans chased them, with others, right up the river
Wainimala to Navaulele, where the new Christians
lived. There they captured one of the refugees, viz.,
Muakalou, of Soloira, who was not a Matailobau chief.
Him they took to Viria, where he was released, with
a lecture and a caution to keep the peace. It was,
a. mistake to have given him liberty, for it was the
beginning of evil.

The chief Muakalou was a pastmaster in the art
of deception, and completely hoodwinked the
Bauans. On his return, he immediately caused mis-
<?hief, and was the chief one to bring about the mur-
der of two young men of Navaulele, thus retaliat-

The Strange Adventures

ing against Cakobau by striking at the town which
had received Cakobau 's "whale's tooth." But the
result was other than he expected. Blood flows
thicker than water, and Muakalou's action only
served to draw away from himself the clan sym-
pathy of the Matailobau villages. They now joined
in with their nominal superior, the "Native of tho
Flood," and became Lotu people. The position then
was. that a small district now professed Christianity
in the midst of many enemies.

At this particular time a council of surround-
ing chiefs was held at Xakorosule, and they were
angered at the turn of events to such an extent that
they actually suggested that the chiefs of the Matailo-
bauans should be slain, to supply flesh food for their
council meeting. The only difficulty in the way of
the attempt was that the war chief of Nakorosule
(to whom Mr. Langham had gone at first), was not
only their strong ally, but was likewise the nephew
of the "Native of the Flood." Nevertheless, these
savage councillors, by dint of persuasion, flattery, and
presents, gained his consent to their diabolical pro-
ject. Forthwith they set themselves to carry it
through.

The town of Nacau was appointed to open hos-
tilities, and the plot was carried into effect by the
Nacau braves in the following manner: —

A chief of Navaulele named Cabecabenivalu, had
married a woman at Nacau. The latter had been o»

of a Whale's Tooth 185

/

a visit to her native place, albeit her husband be-
longed to the faction which opposed her own rela-
tives. Cabecabenivalu, probably because he expected
that soon there would be trouble between the tribes,
went to bring her home. At that time he did not
know that Nacau was the town chosen to bring war
upon them.

The man and his wife were returning on Monday
when they came up with two chiefs of Nacau. These
latter were apparently dawdling in the pathway.
Pretending to be friends, they began to chat with the
couple. One of them suggested a smoke. They
then invited Cabecabenivalu to "nita" (produce fire
by friction). Without a thought of treachery, the
latter began to rub two sticks together in the native
manner. As he stooped they struck him down.

Two boys fishing heard the sound of strife, and
came, running into NavauTele, and crying out that
Cabecabenivalu had been slain. The Matailobau
chiefs were infuriated, and war broke out, as~ when
a smouldering fire is fanned by a strong breeze.
Nacau, which had been the cat's-paw of the enemy,
was attacked, and some of the inhabitants slain. The
enemy answered this by an assault on Ulira, a
Matailobau town. They appeared before it in full
war-dress, whilst the teacher was giving out Metho-
dist membership tickets. From a distance they
shouted their challenge to the people to come out
for a fight.

136

The Strange Adventures

The teacher said: "Don't go. Let the women
remain still."

The enemy fired a musket, and all the district of
Matailobau heard the report. The inhabitants, fully
armed, came running down from their villages, but
were attacked in the pathways, and lost heavily.
Fifty of them were killed; four of them were eaten.
The opposing forces were too strong, and besieged
Ulira in complete war fashion. They took and slew
one hundred people of both sexes. Another town
called Taulevu shared the same fate. These two
villages were totally destroyed.

Flushed with success, the enemy sent an ulti-
matum to the "Native of the Flood," couched in the
following terms: —

"Give up the new religion and you shall live."
His noble answer was:

"If I die, and all belonging to me, I will not give
up the new religion."

On the arrival of the fierce demand of the heathen,
some of the Christian teachers, who belonged to dis-
tricts far away, resolved to stay in the beleagured
towns, and die with the people. Their brave self-
denial is remembered to-day by the villagers of those
parts. Some of their names are Taitusi, from Nairai ;
Pita, from Rewa; Rupeni, from Dravo; Nafitalai,
from Xamuka; Solomoni, from Nakoroivau; Nemani,
from Waikete; and Xasoni, from Buretu. They

of a Whale's Tooth

should be written on the missionary "Scroll of
Fame." In the crisis, an urgent plea for help was
sent to Ban.

Ratu Wiliame, son of the "Native of the Flood,"
was selected for the risky journey. He and a youth
named Ratu Samu came away in the night, and ar-
rived at Bau on the second day. Ratu Wiliame said
to Cakobau:

"We are nearly tinished. Two villages are empty.
But we have not given up the Lotu yet. Come and
help us."

Cakobau made answer :

"Take a tabua (whale's tooth) to the enemy and
ask for a parley. You will thus gain time."

On the return of the messengers, once more I was
brought, into use, but the minds of the savages were
so inflamed that not even my wonderful powers
could influence them. Chief after chief refused to
touch me. To them I was polluted by the Lotu.
At last I was accepted in Nacau, the very town from
which the war began. To be the messenger of peace
was more tcrmy liking than to be the signal of
blood-red war.

Soon the allied enemies were divided amongst
themselves. One section therefore carried the tide
of war down the river, where they annoyed Cako-
bau by destroying a herd of pigs belonging to his
daughter. He immediately came with an army, and

The Strange Adventures

utterly dispersed them, taking a large number of
prisoners.

The religion of Christ began from that time to
change the peoples inland, as well as on the coastal
districts of Fiji. The lives of the inhabitants grew
better, and these cruel tribes of the thick inland
forests became peace-loving people, freely and fear-
lessly intermingling with each other and those far
away. The missionaries were enabled to raise up
from amongst those who flocked to them, a faithful
band of native ministers, who were ever anxious that
their island home might be crowned with goodness
and God's blessing.

CHAPTER XII.

"THE FORMER THINGS HAVE PASSED
AWAY."

XE effect of the Religion of Peace amongst
YV the Fijian people was that it became safer

sL&^=Ji for them to travel farther afield. In the
early days it was fraught with danger for a native
to go very far from his home. Persons who before
never dreamed of going to Lau or Kadavu, now did
so without fear.

I was destined, therefore, to see more of the
Fijian Group, being taken to the island of Kabara, in
Lau, by a mission teacher, whose name was Apakuki.

Life on a small and lonely island of the ocean is
very dull. During my stay in Kabara, however. I
was to witness one of those swift changes in the
routine of island life that serve as a topic of con-
versation for months after the actual event occurred.

It was after the summer time, when men began
to think that the days of the hurricane season were
over for the nonce. The fresh sea breezes blew
softly from the south-east, and the climate of the
island was almost at its best. In the middle of the
month of April, contrary to expectation, there fell a
dead calm. Shortly afterwards the wind sprang up

The Strange Adventures

from the west in fitful gusts. A curious haze covered
the sun's disc, giving it a steely look. Little bits
of cloud scudded across the sky. and the sea waves
became tipped with white. Riding at anchor in the
lagoon was a cutter, which rolled and plunged at its
moorings, making the boom creak loudly enough to
be heard 011 shore.

Old men gravely shook their heads and muttered
that "something was coming." Even the fowls felt
the general depression, and the little chicks crept
under their mother's wings. For the people of the
island there was nothing to do but sit and wait, ex-
cept that a second anchor was thrown out from the
cutter, and the boom was lashed more securely. As
nightfall approached, the wind blew more meaningly,
and each gust had an angry snap that boded ill.
The sun, with scarce a touch of gold, set behind
thick flying scud; the sea waves rose in fury, only
to have their curling crests smitten by the blast
into flying spray ; proud cocoa-nuts bowed themselves
to the ground, and showers of leaves swirled around
the closed huts of the villagers.

It was now night, and what a night! The events
between sunset and sunrise, who shall describe? It
was as if all the forces of the world came to work
damage. Through the long hours of darkness the
villagers fearfully watched their houses swaying in
the grip of the hurricane. In some cases the strong
huts fell; in others, without a moment's warning.

of a Whale's Tooth

the roof crashed in under the weight ol a falling
cocoa-nut tree, torn up by its roots, or of a flying
branch from a* wrecked ivi tree. Rain poured in,
the thatch being lifted up wildly, by the storm ; and
the natives sat, wet and shivering, amid the ruin
of their homes. The cutter drove from its anchorage
to the beach, and was driven some distance inland
A dreadful feeling that anything might happen
seized the population, which brought its own relief
in a madly, careless spirit. Men even laughed and
joked at intervals, though their voices were drowned
by the roaring of the waves and wind without.

Towards midnight the wind died away, only to
blow again with renewed violence from the opposite
quarter.

Two men, with a number of women and children,
were sitting in the teacher's house. One of them,
Jeruesa, was lying upon the damp mats, while his
companion, Apakuki, the teacher, sat with his
shoulder against one of the rocking posts.

''This is a fearful wind," shouted the former. "I
am thinking of any vessel that might be out in it.
The mail cutter will be caught, I am afraid."

"True! True!" answered the teacher. "I also
have been remembering the sailors at sea. Shall we
pray for them?"

"Good," replied the other; "let us pray, if you
please, for our friends on the big waters."

The Strange Adventures

The women were invited to join in their devo-
tions, and a prayer, earnest in its utter dependance
upon God, was offered by Apakuki. Jamesa followed
with a second petition. They then arose from their
knees comforted. Meanwhile the storm raged on.

Broad daylight showed a spectacle of havoc on
shore which could not be imagined by those who have
not seen the track of a hurricane. The villagers would
scarcely recover from their losses in the course of
years.

At sea the sight was one never to be forgotten.
Mighty Pacific rollers, towering high, swept in on
the devoted coral reef, to be crumpled and shattered
'into a hundred clouds of white foam, which were cast
up sixty feet high. Not a sail could be seen on the
horizon; nothing but the tossing, tumbling sea.

As the days passed by the natives plucked up
courage to repair their houses as best they could, and
things settled into somewhat of their usual monotony.

A fortnight after the hurricane, however, there
was a shout from the hills:

"A waqa ciri! A waqa ciri!" "A drifting ship!
A drifting ship !"

There was a rush to the heights, from which the
hull of the vessel could be seen rising heavily upon
the swell. It was drawing towards the island, for
the wind was from the sea.

Many were the exclamations of the simple folk.
Some conjectured as to the likelihood of men being

of a Whale's Tooth

on board, and others hoped that this was not so, for
then they themselves might be enriched by the wreck.
Jemesa and Apakuki remembered their prayer and
kept their counsel.

On the following morning the whole population
were up early to watch the progress of the vessel.
And to the disappointment of some, it seemed to
be drifting away. A sharp-eyed youngster startled
everybody at that moment by yelling at the top of
his high-pitched voice :

"A velovelo! E rua!" "A boat. Two of
them."

Two boats could certainly be descried like black
dots on the water, and they appeared to be coming
from the direction of the derelict. They were still
many miles away, and the chief of the village said
that they could not possibly be in before dark. One
of them, however, made a swifter passage, owing to
a piece of sail which the crew hoisted, and arrived at
four in the afternoon. As the boat touched shore
the villagers rushed down pell-mell, to find half a
dozen men standing in the little craft, scarcely know-
ing what to do next.

"It's alright, Tom," said a grey-bearded old man,
who seemed to be the captain. "They don't appear
to carry arms."

"Right you are, Captain," Tom replied. "Any-
way, they are too many for us, and this is our last
chance."

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"Come, men," cried their leader, "we shall go
ashore arid show them that we trust them. It may
be that they will pity us."

Taking their lives in their hands as they thought,
the six men walked ashore, when, to their great re-
lief and delight, the chief stepped forward and shook
hands with them. A short word from him sent half
a dozen brawny fellows to carry the sailors' belong-
ings out of the boat to the village.

With a beckoning motion, the native chief then
led the wondering party by the inland path to the
village.

"Captain," said a tall sailor named Smithson.
"this beats all. What will be the next? They are
the tamest savages ever I did see."

"I have a thought," replied the Captain, "that
these peoples are Christians. If so, we are safe. But
we shall know soon."

The party emerged from the undergrowth into
the little space occupied by the houses. Three of
them, the Captain, Tom and Smithson, were located
in the teacher's house, where I was ensconced.

Thoroughly wearied out with their toils, the three
men threw themselves upon the mats, and regardless
of any thoughts of danger, fell into a deep sleep,
from which they did not awake until sundown, when
the sound of singing from the adjacent house fell
upon their ears.

An Honoured Natire Minister, Inokr Bnadromo.

145

"In the name of all that's curious. Captain."
queried Smithson, <rwhat's that?"

The Captain turned over on his side and said:

"It is true, Smithson, what I told you. They
are Christians, and that hymn is nothing more nor
less than "Precious Name," that I learned when I
was a youngster. We have much to thank the Great
God for. But now let us look for the other boat."

They all jumped to their feet, feeling ashamed
that they had forgotten their companions in distress.
The Captain suited the action to the word, and led
the way through the village and up the hill-path
which he had noticed when first they entered the
town. After a stiff climb they could faintly see, in
the growing dusk, that the other boat was still about
a mile outside the reef, and far From the passage.

"It will be dark by the time they arrive, so let
us go and have something to renew the inner man,
and then come and meet them. It will be full tide
about ten o'clock, and they might get safely across
the reef itself without going to the passage. Let us
put up lights to guide them." This being done, the
men followed the advice of the skipper and returned
to the house for something to eat. What was their
astonishment and pleasure to find a little feast of
steaming taro and yam, together with boiled fish as
an appetiser. The fresh food, with canned goods
and some bread they had brought from the ship, pro-

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vided an excellent meal for hungry men, and they
set to with a will. Nor were the villagers less
pleased when they received some tinned meats for
their share.

The meal was scarcely finished when a faint
halloo was heard on the still evening air.

"It is from the mate's boat," said Tom. "He
must have come to th<; reef and is afraid to tackle
it in the dark."

Making signs to the Fijians to follow, and call-
ing their fellow-sailors from the house where they
were lodged, with flaring reed torches the little band
followed the curving beach to a place nearest the
point whence the halloos proceeded.

Some of the natives, amongst whom were Apa-
kuki and Jemesa, brought the boat round, and row-
ing in fine style, made signs that they were going
out to meet the ship-wrecked sailors. Gladly the
Captain consented, and aWay they went.

It was late when they returned with the two
boats. The belated sailors were thoroughly worn out
after their long row in the tropical heat, and were
glad indeed to hear their names called out by their
companions on shore. Nor were they less astonished
than the Captain and his crew had been when strong-
limbed natives, with much chattering and laughter,
shouldered all their good's and carried them a mile
and a half along the beach to the town.

of a Whale's Tooth

""What have we struck here?" asked the mate,
as he wearily plodded beside the skipper.

"Christians," answered he.

"Humph, " grunted the mate, who was known to
have a strong dislike to anything of that sort. He
was still more silent after he found a meal ready
for him at the house. Truly he had much to think
about.

Sleep was almost as necessary to the sailors as
food, so stretching their limbs out upon the reed
mats, and using pieces of carved wood for pillows,
they. were soon unconscious of their surroundings.

At five o'clock in the morning a gun-shot broke
the stillness of the village. The Captain, not yet
quite awake, and feeling for his pistol, hastily step-
ped to the door. There he found Apakuki, the
teacher, smiling, and holding in his hand a smoking
gun and a dead fowl.

Reassured, the skipper returned to his companions,
saying :

"We're in luck's way, chaps. Chicken for break-
fast, smoking hot."

Nor was he mistaken, for the chicken was duly
placed^ together with yam, on the improvised table
made of boxes; and the little shipwrecked party were
invited to partake, while Jemesa and Apakuki sat
down before them, ready to rise at once if anything
were needed by their guests.

148 The Strange Adventures

"Captain," said Tom. "this has got me beaten.
Two weeks ago we were driven at the mercy of the
hurricane. Our masts snapped like carrots. We
had lost our rudder, and had given ourselves up for
lost until we saw this island. Then we came off in
the boats, not knowing whether we were rowing to
our death or not. When we beached, we met Chris-
tians instead of cannibals, and the last is, that they
shoot their fowls for us. I vote we say grace."

The events of the past had so affected the men
that they agreed, and to the delight of Apakuki. Tom
said grace. Nor did the grace affect their appetites
adversely, as some might think.

The conversation that ensued had reference to
the past of the Fijian people, and the evident change
made in them by Christianity. Each had his little
quota of knowledge to give, and at last the Captain
said:

"It is a fact, men, that we have much to be
thankful for. If we had come to a cannibal shore
we should have had to say good-bye to this life.
And all I can do is to describe the change in these
people by the words my old mother often used to
quote, 'The former things have passed away.' '

The Meandering Stream,.

Stinson Photo.

of a Whale's Tooth

CHAPTER XIII.
A NATIVE MINISTER.

UK changes in the manners and customs of
the Fijians from this time on was rapid
and marked. The dark clouds of
heathenism were shot through with light. Undoubt-
edly the body of native ministers which I mentioned
in a previous chapter was one of the main levers by
which the missionaries endeavoured to raise the habits
and practices of life then in vogue amongst the
Islanders. Again and again their noble deeds were re-
ported. Men like Joeli Bulu, and Samuela Seru,
when contrasted with their own relatives, were as
jewels set in a dark garment. Their light appeared
as a wonderful thing beside 'the gloom of surrounding
superstitution. The glow of their spiritual fervour
seemed to illumine their minds as well, so that often
the missionary himself owed his life to their sagacity
and timely advice.

I have for these men, as a class, nothing but the
sincerest admiration. Having passed through the
fiery ordeal of their Fijian youth, they have become
settled in their faith and mode of living. There-
fore, if any inquirer wishes to see more definitely the
best result of the Methodist mission in Fiji, let him

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first go to the old men. In them there is to be found
a steadiness of purpose and fire of enthusiasm that
marks their witness as unique. If occasionally one
has fallen, it is precisely what we should expect from
these weak souls, who were but yesterday sick of a
wasting fever. The marvel is. that so many are
strong and vigorous. Gradually, and as a result of
the self-sacrificing and unceasing efforts of the early
missionaries and their dark-skinned helpers, the im-
mense heap of evil showed signs of moving. One
effect this transformation had upon myself, viz., to
lessen my importance in the eyes of the natives. The
extraordinary qualities which I had before possessed
began to fade. In these days, though I am not with-
out honour amongst the people, the Fijian could well
do without me. Instead, therefore, of being kept
for special occasions and purposes, I found myself
often used for minor objects, such as acquiring a
pig, or gaining permission to cut trees or reeds on
another's land. My new and manifold duties in-
creased so much that I was never long in one place.

It came to pass, in the lapse of years, that I
was sent to Kadavu upon the death of an old chief
called Naba, and became the property of his young
kinsman named Kelepi Naba, in the town of Naka-
saleka. It so happened that he determined to keep
me as an heirloom, as was the custom with some
Fijians when they acquired any article which they

of a Whale's Tooth

prized very highly. The story of Kelepi I shall now
relate.

He was a short sturdy jrouth, of rather a sober
disposition. His face betokened repose and per-
severance. Unlike most of the Fijians, his hair had
a tendency to straightness, which pointed to Poly-
nesian blood. As a young man, he came under the
preaching of the Gospel. The first sermon he heard
was from a Tqngan, and from that moment his heart
was warmed by the good tidings. Being slow to
decide upon important things, in this matter he made
no haste. But, considering the whole question in his
heart, he gradually came to the conclusion that he
would accept the Gospel and give himself to the work
of preaching. As the conviction grew upon him he
became more and more earnest in his daily deport-
ment. His companions noted the change in him, and
some mocked, while others approved. The adverse
opinions of men, however, did not appear to affect
Ketepi, for he kept on steadily pursuing his course.

"While still a young man he formed a habit which
greatly assisted to shape his sturdy character. It
came to pass thus: In the addresses and exhortations
he had heard, there were many appeals to the con-
gregation that they should give up their vain call-
ing upon the spirits of the dead, and pray, especi-
ally in secret, to the living God. Consequently «
desire arose in his heart to make known his requests
to God in prayer. But how to do so in secret was the

The Strange Adventures

difficulty. Fijian life was so free that one could be
said to have no privacy. The houses of each and all
might be entered at any hour, as in the case of the
ancient Jews, by those who wished to do so. In
addition, the houses were but single rooms, and used
indiscriminately as eating place, sleeping chamber,
and reception room. Kelepi therefore had recourse to
the quiet woods. Searching around, he happened on
a large tree some distance from the regular path, and
in its deep shade he found the solitude he needed.
Every morning, before sunrise, Kelepi sought out
his trysting-place and prayed that God might save
him from the evil that was in the world, in words
like these:

"Oh, God, I am but a poor Fijian, but Thou
hast the light. Thy Son has died for me, and He
has power from Thee to save. Show me the way
through Him, and lead me in the right path. Keep
me until Thou shalt call me to Thyself, for the sake
of Christ, the Righteous Sacrifice. Amen."

So he pleaded for years. The missionary noticed
his growing zeal, and placed him on the plan as a
local preacher. Praying and preaching, he grew in
favour and usefulness. It appeared to all that he
was marked out by his intelligence to become a native
minister. Step by step he advanced, till he attained
.to that rank in 1887.

In this honourable capacity he served God faith-
fully, and was true to the teaching of the Methodist

of a Whale's Tooth

Church. He was as a rock in the midst of the rush-
ing stream, and no one could say that he lapsed at
any time from his high resolve.

The following story is told of him: — In Tavuki
the natives had nominally accepted Christianity ; the
result was that they had given up many of their
superstitious practices, particularly that of spirit-
worship. It was not to be supposed that there would
be no recurrence of their old customs, for the
majority had but the name without the power of the
Gospel. Suddenly, by one of those strange unac-
countable movements of the native mind, the villagers
fell back into a deliberate act of heathenism. The
old habit, like an avalanche, swept the new teachings
aside like frail brushwood. For a moment the people
were as barbarous as ever. It seemed as if the
Gospel had utterly failed. News travels rapidly in
Fiji. From mouth to mouth the tidings flew, until
all Kadavu knew that the people of Tavuki were
heathen once more. Kelepi arose in his righteous
enthusiasm for the Lord, and without delay, went
straight down to those people. Apparently they had
already become a little ashamed of their act. When
he called them together they obeyed, but with the
air of guilty school-boys.

A white man tells the story of the doughty cham-
pion of the Cross, and his vehement denunciation of
their foolishness and weakness. No chiefly influence
nor other earthly power did he fear; but he spoke as

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one inspired, as he stood in that congregation and
exhorted them all to repent of their action, and re-
ceive again the Lord Jesus Christ as their only
Master. To his burning words they gave good heed,
for they turned from their dark ways the second
time, and began once more to walk in the better path.

Kelepi's reputation grew amongst his brethren.
In debate he was cautious and shrewd, and if the
need of the work demanded it, he could be liberal
in his views. It was his custom to sit amongst his
brethren till he had heard all that was to be said,
and then to quickly sum up their views before giv-
ing his own views. After he spoke, the listeners
usually came round to his way of thinking.

That Kelepi's heart was in the right place is con-
clusively proved by the following incident: —

On a certain occasion he paid a visit to the
mission station. A new school had been recently
established, and there were upwards of forty-five
boys in residence. Kelepi was at the time over sixty
years of age. His hair was grey and his face fur-
rowed by the plough of time. His appearance, there-
fore, was that of a patriarch, as he sat in a meeting
of the school-boys.

The missionary seized the opportunity of asking
Kelepi to speak a few well-chosen words to the lads,
words that they might remember throughout their
lives.

of a Whale's Tooth

Very real dignity clothed the old man as he rose
and made this speech :

"Young men, the missionary has asked me to
speak some words to you which you will remember
all your days. It is with gladness that I do so. You
see that I am old in the service of God, and, indeed,
I am, for it is over forty years since I became a
preacher of the Gospel. The last twenty-six years I
have had the honour of being a native minister. It
has been a long service, but I am glad that I have
persevered in it. I feel that the end cannot be far
away now. It is therefore my desire to tell you the
reason that I have stood so long in the work. When
I was a young man I was converted, and the Spirit
led me to think very seriously of the things of eternity .
.One thing above all others was dear to me, and that
was to pray to God in secret. But as you know, our
houses are not suitable for such a custom as they are
usually but a single room. Therefore I sought me
out a large tree in the woods, some distance from
the pathway. There, every morning, very early, I
asked God to help me and preserve me from evil.
To that prayer often repeated I attribute my forty
years of preaching and my preservation to the pre-
sent time. God cared for me day by day, and now
I thank God from my heart for His goodness. Young
men, I ask you to remember these words in the days
that are coming. Pray to God in secret, in some

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secluded spot where your soul can commune with
His Holy Spirit. I have finished."

Kelepi sat down with his eye kindling. There
was silence, and the boys gazed on him as if they
had got a new glimpse of his character. A short
prayer closed the little gathering, and the youths
dispersed. Surely some of them, at least, will keep
in mind till their dying day the excellent advice that
Kelepi gave them on that memorable occasion.

The Synod of 1909 approached, and, as usual,
Kelepi was elected as representative. But the hand
of sickness struck him down. The old man had
exerted himself too much by climbing over the hills
at Daviqele, where he was stationed at the time. It
was a great sadness to him that he could not go
to Synod, for it had always been a joy to him to
take a share in the discussions on the work of God.
and to participate in the ordination of his yountrcr
brethren, as was his wont. But God willed it other-
wise, and the faithful servant murmured not.

Gradually his strong body grew weaker, until it
was clear that his days were numbered. And now
let those who sneer at the simple religious life of
the natives draw reverently near while the majesty
of death ennobles Kelepi with a new dignity. The
place where we stand is holy. Never is man so sin-
cere as when dying. All hypocrisy falls to the ground
as cast-off clothes when the angel of God pays his

of a Whale's Tooth

dread visit. A man's past life rises up so vividly
that the soul has no courage to deceive any longer.

The august angel of death entered at last the
humble dwelling where Kelepi lay. His presence
Kelepi knew by that mysterious insight that dying
Fijians have when they are crossing the border-
land. Then, while all listened in solemn awe^ he
commended each of his dear ones to God, praying
for his wife and children by name, that they might
be kept, when he was gone, from the evil that is
in the world.

His breath grew laboured, and he could but utter
one more sentence. Turning his dying eyes to the
people who had gathered around his bed, he made
his last request: "Give my love to my brethren in
the ministry." "With these words on his lips, he
passed to the higher service, where love onjy is the
moving passion, and the law of love shall govern the
happy relations between the redeemed.

Outside the house a curious thing was happen-
ing. A Chinaman fled for his life jn terror,
because a ball of fire shot from the sea to land. A
Fijian also took refuge from what appeared like a
fiery chair that floated out to sea. It was probably
a meteoric display, but the simple folk thought it
had come as a sign to them that a good man had
fallen in death.

158

The village was full of the praises of the de-
parted, and the leaders discussed how they might
best honour him. They finally decided that they
would bury him amongst the chiefs, which was an
unusual honour paid to one who himself was of
humble rank. On the morrow they carried the re-
mains to the little plot sacred to the memory of
chiefs. Slowly the procession wound its way under
the shade of the ivi and dawa trees, each man and
each woman carrying, according to their custom, a
plaited mat. Folded in these mats, the dead was
laid to rest, while another native minister read the
words: "Na soso ki na soso, na qele ki ne qele, na
nuku ki na nuku — ni da sa nuitaka na nodra tu cake
tale ki na bula tawa mudu."

"Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in
sure and certain hope of the resurrection to the life
everlasting." Then the company, led by Kelepi's
son, sang:

"Ulu Vatu dua ban,

Mo ni yaga tu vei au."
"Rock of ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee. "

Few of the singers could control their voices suffi-
ciently to finish the hymn. The evening shadows fell
over the land as the sun sank beyond the Pacific
rollers. Above the grave towered an extinct vol-
cano, crowned with clouds fired by the "gorgeous light
of departing day. Near the crest soared an eagle-

of a Whale's Tooth

hawk. From the woods came the trumpeting of wild
pigeons, and from the ocean-reef the thunder of
broken waves. How long shall these things continue
to be? Be it ever so long, the soul of Kelepi Naba
rests in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection
of the Just, when the heavens shall be folded up as
a vesture, and the elements melt with fervent heat.

A few months later the grave of Kelepi was sur-
rounded by a neat white picket fence, erected by
his comrades as a mark of respect for their former
leader.

160 The Strange Adventures

CHAPTER XIV.
A MISSIONARY'S WELCOME.

kN the death of Kelepi, I fell to the lot of
one of his relatives in Nakasaleka. This
town, which was Kelepi 's birthplace, is
situated between heavily- wooded ranges, which rear
their dark terraces against the blue sky at the back.
The frequent rains cause them to be verdant in the
extreme, the surplus waters being carried to the sea
by a turbulent mountain torrent. In one place
there is a waterfall, where the stream dashes down-
ward into a deep pool in such a manner as to raise
the drooping spirits of the sight-seer to a state of
exhilaration. The pool is famous as a swimming re-
sort for strangers, and can scarcely be bottomed by
good divers. Leaving the pool, the stream meanders
more leisurely down through the town, where women
make use of it for washing dishes and clothing. On
every hand grows luxurious vegetation, affording
secure retreat for thousands of wild pigeon, parrots,
and wood-doves. Such is Nakasaleka.

On a certain warm evening there was a stir in
the village, for a teacher came from Yale, to report
that a letter had been received containing good news.
The missionary was to begin his annual tour of

of a Whale's Tooth

inspection within a fortnight. It was not long be-
fore everybody in the neighbourhood was acquainted
with the fact. The missionary would first visit the
adjacent town of Rakiraki. and then row round the
point into Nakasaleka. Being the centre of a dis-
trict, it was the custom of several smaller towns to-
send their strong quota of people to join in the ser-
vices at Xakasaleka. Chiefs and people helped will-
ingly in the arrangements, and vied with one an-
other in their generosity. On this occasion the schools;
were to be examined in reading, 'writing, arithmetic,,
and geography. The children went almost frantic,
therefore, with delight and excitement. They prac-
ticed dances till late in the night to celebrate the
event, and longed for the day when they might dis-
play their skill.

It was arranged also that just as the missionary
turned the point in his new boat, the young people
of the district should suddenly appear from behind
the cocoa-nut trees, and that they should carry long-
poles, to which would be tied streamers of native
cloth. With the native cloth were to be fastened also
articles of local manufacture, as gifts for the crew.
It is a pretty little custom, handed down from former
times, and was intended as a salute to any new boat
coming for the first time to the town. The proce-
dure was that as soon as the missionary's boat should
touch the sands of the beach, the boys were to leap
out and chase the children for the prizes. The chiefs

The Strange Adventures

decided that they would buy a bullock and kill it
in honour of the visitor, and that every man should
bring a present to him of a yam or root of taro. It
was very simple and very sincere. Since then I have
heard some people scoff at the preparations made by
Fijians in honour of their visitors, but it is quite
clear therefrom that they do not understand the
minds of the people. Such a reception is almost- a
sure sign that the inhabitants of a town or district
are glad to receive their guests. If 'the feast and
other little festivities were omitted, it would indi-
cate that the natives were not pleased with the visitor.
Let us pass the simple indulgence then, and allow
the native hearts to rejoice as their spirits suggest.

Another matter I must not omit, which was impor-
tant to me as well as to others. One of the leading
men called on my owner to ask if he would relin-
quish me. since they wished to present the best
whale's tooth procurable to the missionary as a chiefly
sign of their pleasure and respect. The finest tabua
in the town was the one which had been the property
of Kelepi, viz., myself. Now my owner was in no
way desirous of losing me. but for the sake of the
missionary he willingly gave me to the chiefs, who
kept me safely until the day of presentation.

At last the time appointed arrived. The school
children stood waiting behind the cocoa-nuts, everyone
arrayed more or less tidily in holiday clothes, albeit

of a Whale's Tooth

there was a slightly barbarous smack in their adorn-,
•ments. They wore garlands of green, intermingled with
flowers. In their hands they held the poles with the
long streamers and the gifts. Their faces betrayed
glad anticipation as they awaited the appearance
of the boat. A watchman came running hastily
along a rough path, shouting that the vessel was just
near the headland. In a second or two it shot round
the promontory. The native crew, who were the
mission boys, rowed perfectly, feathered beautifully,
and moved with an easy rhythm. It was an ideal
scene. As the boat drew rapidly nearer, one of the
elder boys approached the landing place, and blew
a long blast on a conch shell, as a challenge to the
rowers. The latter became visibly excited as they
cried: "A cere! A cere!" With redoubled effort
they 'bent to the oars. At the same moment the
crowd of small boys and girls appeared at the other
end of the beach, looking very picturesque as they
held aloft their white streamers against a dark back-
ground of cocoa-nuts. The boat shortly after
grounded, and immediately the boy with the conch
shell ran towards his comrades, while the boat's
crew leaped out on the- shingle, and ran helter-skelter
in pursuit of the school children. The scrimmage
was soon over, and the mission boys returned to the
boat laden with spoil.

The missionary was then assisted to shore, where
he was met by the native minister and teachers, who

164

The Strange Adventures

were quite superior-looking in their clean white
clothes, especially ironed for the occasion. Farther
on stood the congregated chiefs, and these also showed
their gratification in warm hand-shakes and words of
welcome. They led him, by arrangement previously
made, to a house set apart, in which he took his
seat at a table covered with a white cloth. Several
of the men entered with the chiefs and sat down in
an irregular semi-circle.

To those who have seen the little ceremony, this
description might be dull, and indeed almost needless.
But there was one intensely interested participant in
the proceedings. For I, the great whale's tooth, was
to be presented for the last time. My career was
drawing to a close, and henceforth I was to be hung
in the missionary's house like a trophy of the chase.

The function began with a strange cry from
without, which was answered by another from within
the house. A man whose duty it was approached in
a stooping posture, holding me in his two hands. In
this manner he delivered his message. The mis-,
sionary meanwhile sat listening carefully. As re-
gards the words, the speech was couched in some-
thing of the following style :

"Sir, — We bring you this small tooth, and present
it to you. Some time ago we heard you were com-
ing, and our hearts rejoiced greatly. Our town is
a small one, and our district is poor. But we give
thanks that you thought it worth your while to come.

of a Whale's Tooth

We rejoice for yourself that you are with us, but we
are gladder because of the work of the Lord Jesus
Christ, which you lead and guide in this island. We
ask you to pray for us. But I have spoken too long
in your presence. We offer this tooth in thanks, and
ask you to remember us in the presence of God, that
the land may prosper, and that the religion of Christ
may spread in our midst." With these words, the
old man sat down. As he retired, his long grey
beard swept his breast. That very man had been
with Cakobau in the wildest days of Fiji. His
name is Josefa, and while I write he still lives,
honoured of all, a patriarch of the past. Backed by
the experience of a lifetime, his action was a grace-
ful one, despite the fact that it was of a barbarous
sort. For myself, I took it as a hopeful augury of
a calm and peaceful eventide. Swiftly my thoughts
flew backwards to the past. Like ghosts, Dan Sawyer,
Dakuloa, Raivotu, Matavou, and the others passed be-
fore me. Surely the "Methodies," as Jack the Cor-,
nishman had called them, have been the instrument
of G-od for good, and that warm-hearted sailor, if he
could have seen the fruit of fifty years' toil, would
have shouted for joy.

The same night a most orderly meeting was
held, the church being crowded with earnest
listeners. Impressed with the spectacle of so many
upturned faces, the missionary spoke with power
upon the great subject of sin, life and death, judg-

166 The Strange Adventures

ment, and our duty to our fellows. It could not be
expected that these native Christians would see every
side of the truths set before them, yet, 'according to
their nature, they gladly accepted that which was
beneficial to themselves. He who expects more is
unwise and unreasonable. The brand of a thousand
years is not rubbed out in half a century.

After the hearty singing of "Work, for the Night
is Coming," many stayed to talk with the missionary.
Some desired to become prayer-leaders, others wished
to confess their sins, others, again, signed the pledge

Wise man that he was, the missionary would not
"quench the smoking flax" nor "break the bruised
reed." On the contrary, he uttered words of cheer
or direction, according to the needs of each. Tiny
pebbles they were, thrown into the vasty deep; but
the ripples therefrom will doubtless break large on
the shores of eternity.

The morning shone clear, for the heavy clouds of
the night had left but fleecy remnants in the gullies
and around the mountain peaks. Cool, dewy breezes
fanned the warm coast. Merrily the stream leaped
amongst its rocks; and it was a joyful company of
simple-hearted natives who conducted the missionary
beside the stream to his boat that morning. The pic-
ture is with me still, for I. too, made one of the
mission party. The fringe of cocoa-nuts, the charac-
teristic white beach beneath, the people in their many-

of a Whale's Tooth 16T

hued garments, contrasting sharply with the deep
blue-green mountains beyond, made a study as the
missionary said, for an academy painting. Add to
this the mother-of-pearl bay, with the boat skim-
ming on its surface, and you have a vivid memory
that lives in the heart till memory dies.

As the boat pushed off the villagers sang: "To
the work, to the work." Never, probably, shall I see
them again; but are not many of them in thy Book,
0 God?

Bending lightly to the oars, the happy crew
plunged the blades into the yielding water. So, with
the strain of the hymn ringing in our ears, we
swiftly glided over the sea till the wooded point hid
us from view. The sail was- set and trimmed, and
the oars were laid in the boat beneath the thwarts.
Then, with a favourable breeze, we steered for the
mission station far down the coast.

One incident on that memorable journey I am
bound to relate. We were passing a wooded slope.
High up on the mountain side stood a solitary Fijian
house. Just beyond this were several small yam
patches and taro plots. When almost opposite, the
missionary asked his boys what perchance the house
might be. "A leper's dwelling," said they. "He
is separated from his village, and now he makes his
own gardens, and lives by himself in this place." Even
as they were talking of him the sounds of singing

168

The Strange Adventures

came floating from the mountain side. The men
raised their heads to listen. It was the voice of a
man, and he appeared to be singing from his garden.

"What is he singing?" asked the missionary.
"Let us all listen carefully." As the words came
clearly upon the land-breeze, the crew could dis-
tinguish the hymn, "To the Work, to the Work."
The man had recognised the missionary's boat, and
was singing this hymn as his contribution to the
general welcome. He might not mingle with the
rest of the people, though it would have been a great
joy for him to do so; but there still remained this
means by which he might show his deep interest in
the work of the Lord. Thus also might he indicate
how he, too, believed that Jesus Christ had come to
save the world from sin. In that little hut. doubtless
he had his Bible and his hymn-book, which would
comfort him in his hours of loneliness. Needless to
say, the missionary and his party were very much
touched by the pathetic incident. Instead of the
dread cry, "Unclean! Unclean!" comes a song. In-
stead of harsh cynicism comes sympathy with the
work.

"What shall we sing in return?" said the mis-
sionary. After some little discussion, the following
hymn was chosen as the most suitable: "Lead. Kindly
Light." So they sang it with much feeling, and the
sound of it arose from the sea to the mountain, the
echo returning with sweet effect:

of a Whale's Tooth 169

"Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,

Lead Thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home;

Lead Thou me on.

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene — one step enough for me.

So long Thy power hath blessed me, sure it still

Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till

The night is gone,

And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile."

Much more need not be said. Driven by a splendid
breeze, we crossed bay after bay, and sailed past
point after point, until we came to the mission house,
which was set, like Sion, upon a hill.

The missionary and crew were received by young
students, who composed the major portion of the
population in the mission village. A warmer welcome
still awaited him in his own home, and there I was
hung in a conspicuous place as an ornament to the
walls of the mission house.

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